Defense, pitching and hitting.

Earlier in the season Penn State head softball coach Robin Petrini said that a team has to play well in each to win.

"You have to put two out of the three together in order to do well," Petrini said.

Unfortunately for the Nittany Lions, yesterday saw them perform below their standards in all three. The Penn State softball team's recent struggles continued yesterday as it dropped a doubleheader to Kent State.

The Nittany Lions lost game one, 9-1, in five innings. Game two was closer as the Lions fell to the Golden Flash, 5-2.

Not many things went the Lions' way in game one. As with many of their losses this season, poor defense contributed to the final result. The squad committed four errors in the five innings they played.

The pitching has been solid most of the season for the team. However, the usually dependable Marisa Hanson also struggled in the first game.

Hanson was spectacular last weekend as she shutout the No. 12 Iowa Hawkeyes. Last night she did not fare as well, giving up 11 hits and five earned runs.

The Lions have played a number of doubleheaders so far this season against non-conference opponents like Kent State. Earlier this season Hanson said those games help prepare for Big Ten competition.

"They definitely get us ready for Big Ten play and show us what we need to focus on," Hanson said.

Penn State's potent offense also performed below its standards. The Lions managed only two hits and one run against Golden Flash starter Nicole Karasek.

That one run was driven in by shortstop Barbie Pierce in the top of the fifth inning. It would prove to be the only RBI the team would have in the doubleheader.

In game two the Lions were shut down by one of the best pitchers in the Mid-American Conference. Two-time MAC pitcher of the week Kate Leary pitched all seven innings and gave up two hits and no earned runs. Both of Penn State's runs in the game came as a result of errors.

Just like game one, Penn State gave up double digit hits in game two. Senior Kelly McCann gave up 10 hits in six innings. Only one of the five runs she gave up was earned.

Leary was not the only award winner playing in the doubleheader. Penn State announced today that first baseman Erin Norton was named Big Ten Softball Player of the Week. Norton was 12-23 for the week with eight RBI.

In game two Norton was one of the bright spots for the Lions as she was one of only two players to get a hit off of Leary. Head softball coach Robin Petrini expected Norton to be a key player for the Lions this season.

"Erin had a great year last year as a freshman," Petrini said in a press release. "We expect her to continue with that."

The Lions are now 19-15 on the year and 1-5 in their last six games.

They will get a chance to right their ship this weekend when they play two games against the Illinois Fighting Illini.