The softball team will compete in the second annual Lady Lion Blue Classic this weekend and hopes to repeat last year's success.

Last year, the team went 3-1 in the tournament to take first place over Robert Morris, North Carolina-Greensboro, Canisius and Monmouth.

The Lady Lions will face Robert Morris, LaSalle, California (Pa.) and Colgate in this year's tournament.

Penn State opens the tournament at 9 this morning against Robert Morris (6-6). Robert Morris failed to win a game in the Blue Classic last year, but a new coach (Craig Coleman) and a new commitment to the softball program might change its fortunes this year.

At 11 a.m. Penn State will face LaSalle (21-8 last year). The Lady Lions play California (Pa.), the No. 8 team in Division II, and Colgate tomorrow at 3 and 5 p.m., respectively.

The tournament schedule will remain the same regardless of the weather, Coach Sue Rankin said. In the event of inclement weather, the tournament will be held in Holuba Hall instead of at Lady Lion Field.

The artificial surface may be an advantage to the Lady Lions, third baseman Amy Tortorella said.

"We've been playing inside for two months, so we're used to it," Tortorella said. "But it might be harder on the other teams."

Rankin did not know much about the other teams, but preferred to concentrate on her squad. Rankin said the team has been working on fundamentals in practice, concentrating on offense Wednesday night and defense last night.

"We did play California in the fall and they're a good hitting team, so we'll be ready. We played a few of the teams last year, but it's a new year with new people.

"We're just taking it one game at a time," Rankin said. "Any team we play we consider to be strong."

Tortorella added, "We're looking forward to going out and winning it, but I don't think we can sit back and think we can win. We can beat anybody any day, but we have to play our best every game."

Rankin was not yet sure of the pitching rotation, but said Kim Corbin will throw sometime this weekend despite her chronic sternum injury. Rankin did not plan any drastic lineup changes from the St. Francis games.

Other tournament games today include Robert Morris vs. California (1 p.m.), Colgate vs. LaSalle (3 p.m.) and California vs. Colgate (5 p.m.). Tomorrow's schedule has California vs. LaSalle (9 a.m.), Robert Morris vs. Colgate (11 a.m.) and LaSalle vs. Robert Morris (1 p.m.).