Although it might not be placed on the pedestal of March Madness, the softball team will host Division III Cortland State (N.Y.) in a scrimmage Sunday at Holuba Hall. The noon start will mark the Lady Lions' first action since returning last Sunday from their season opening Texas road trip.

"I think people are ready to get back. . . and prove to themselves exactly how good they are," assistant coach Beth Perine said. "We're 2-15 and the players are anxious to go out, perform well, and gain some confidence."

The scrimmage, which is Penn State's only competetive action before the March 26 home opener against St. Francis (Pa.), will not follow a normal seven-inning format. Both teams will create situations they want to work on, which may entail stopage of play to shift runners and defensive sets.

For the Lady Lions, producing runs and "cleaning up" the defense will be the primary goals against their opponent. Penn State committed 37 errors in its first 17 games.

"Our infield still needs to practice working together," third baseman Amy Tortorella said. "(Shortstop) Ellie (Traino) and I are trying to work on better communication."

Dawn Hoover will likely be the starter Sunday, but all of Penn State's pitchers will take the mound at some point. However, Kim Corbin, who has a 1.56 ERA after five games, has been bothered by a strained joint in her sternum and might be the only Lady Lion not to see action, Perine said.

With another week off before the start of the second season, Perine said Sunday's scrimmage will be important in refining fundamentals prior to Atlantic 10 play.

"We want to make sure we're crisp and able to execute. . . as precisely as we can -- both offensively and defensively," Perine said.

After Penn State's home opener against St. Francis, the team will host the Lady Lion "Blue" Classic, March 29-31, before traveling to Temple on April 6 for its A-10 opener against the Lady Owls, last season's conference co-champion.