In 1988, softball coach Sue Rankin went shopping for a second baseman to fill the hole left by Dena Tauriello's shift to third in the Lady Lions' infield.

Rankin found what she was looking for in an all-star shortstop from Dallas, Pa., who hit .508 in leading her team to the 1988 Pennsylvania class AAA title.

Since then that high school shortstop has made the transition to second base and has led Penn State for the last two seasons, giving offensive power and consistency a definite name for the Lady Lions -- Joyce Tinner.

"We found a gem in Joyce," Rankin said. "Offensively she has been a tremendous contributor -- she's a clutch hitter and a power hitter who can hit behind the runners well and move them along."

Assistant coach Beth Perine, who saw Tinner play during her junior year while scouting a pitcher on the opposing team, said Tinner's presence has been integral to the team.

"She gives 100 percent all the time with her hard work and commitment to the team," Perine said. "The way she interacts with the rest of the team is special -- she'll give up some of her hitting time to help someone else batting and I think that's really special."

In replacing Dena Tauriello, Tinner became an instant success at second base and found her niche as the team's No. 3 hitter, hitting the ball hard and knocking in runs. With hard work day-in and day-out in practice and in the batting cage, the 20-year-old junior has fulfilled her role superbly.

"A lot of the key to my doing well is encouragement from my parents, because they've been real supportive," Tinner said. "Also I go in two or three times a week for extra hitting -- adjusting was really hard in the beginning, but I feel much more confident now."

"Joyce puts in extra hours hitting so she can hit the ball well," Rankin said. "She has good bat control and has contributed greatly to the team -- you don't get better by giving a little bit, you have to hit more balls and go all out and she's done that."

The extra work has definitely paid off for the second sacker in the last two seasons. Last season, Tinner led the Lady Lions in five offensive categories, including a .359 batting average, 52 hits and 74 total bases. Her team-leading 36 RBI and 13 doubles were also good enough to lead the Atlantic-10 Conference.

For her performance in the A-10, Tinner was named to the All-Northeast Region team last year and is off and running again, heading into the Lady Lions' home opener against St. Francis this afternoon.

After 17 games this season Tinner is hitting .304 with 14 hits, two home runs and 10 runs batted in.

"I have to do whatever is called upon me to do for the team -- I just go out there and do what I have to," Tinner said. "Individually, I need to score the runs when they're in scoring position.

"(In Texas) I didn't feel like I hit the ball as well as I think I can and I think I have room for improvement," she added. "I need to improve my range fielding balls up the middle and I also need to stop thinking at the plate."

While Tinner has done a lot for Penn State softball, it has also done a lot for her. Despite recruiting offers from UConn, UMass, Rhode Island and South Carolina, she said she is glad she chose Penn State.

"It has helped me grow as a person, like when we came back from Arizona 2-17 my freshman year, that was different because I had never been on a losing team before and it put things in perspective," Tinner said.

Once again, Tinner is in much the same position as she was during her freshman year, but this time she is much more prepared and enthusiastic about the team's chances for the A-10 championship.

"Basically, (the Texas Invites) are behind us -- a couple of us were talking and saying that we won't be .500 until mid-April, but I don't think a lot of people realize how good we are," Tinner said. "We're playing good and hitting the ball better than we have in a while and if we do good, we have a good shot at the A-10 Championship."

With a tough A-10 campaign right around the corner, Rankin said she hopes Tinner will be recognized individually this season.

"She is one of the best second basemen in the Northeast," Rankin said. "I'd like to see her make All-Conference and (All-)Northeast this season and if she keeps up the good work she has a good shot to do it."