The Penn State softball team resembled the weather in State College this weekend. It started out dark, but kept getting progressively brighter.

The Nittany Lions split four games at home this weekend. On a rainy Friday afternoon, Michigan swept a doubleheader from the Lions 10-1 and 9-1. Saturday and yesterday the Lions bounced back as they took a pair of games from Michigan State 1-0 and 9-2.

Friday's doubleheader saw the Wolverines rain hits on Nittany Lion Field as they pulled away from the Lions in each game. They had a total of 27 hits and 19 runs for both games.

"They singled us to death," senior pitcher Kelly McCann said.

They also pitched and fielded well. Game one pitcher Marissa Young gave up five hits and one run while reigning Big Ten Pitcher of the Week Marie Barda gave up four hits and one run. The defense committed no errors in either game.

The Lions are not the only team that has fell victim to Michigan's combination of offense and defense. The Wolverines were 12-0 in conference play and had won 17 straight games after they took the two from the Lions. The Lions did not allow Michigan's dominance to discourage them that much, however.

"I told the team that Michigan might run the table in the Big Ten," head coach Robin Petrini said. "These games against Michigan State are what are important right now."

The Lions did win the games they felt they had to win, beating Michigan State on consecutive days. Saturday's game was a nail-biter that did not see it's first run until the bottom of the sixth inning.

In that inning first baseman Erin Norton reached first and advanced to second on a throwing error by Spartan pitcher Becky Gray. Senior designated player Jenny Briz followed that up by hitting a double into centerfield and driving in what proved to be the game-winning run.

"It felt good taking cuts in there," Briz said.

"I kind of expected her (Gray) to go outside but she went right down the middle."

The game was also marked by the pitching of senior Kelly McCann. McCann gave up no runs on four hits. She also tied Jaci Kalp and Tanis Ambelang's school record of 17 wins in a season.

McCann had much more run support in yesterday's game, helping her break the record for wins on, of all days, Senior Day. The offense had many stars yesterday, but it was one particular senior who stole the show.

Catcher Colleen Kersey had one of her best games of the season offensively. She was 2-for-3 with three RBI and a solo homerun to dead centerfield.

"It's been a long time since I did that," Kersey said of the homerun.

"If I was to pick a day to do this, this would be the day.

Another senior who had a good day was second baseman Allison Medellin. Medellin was reached base three times, scored once, had four putouts and three assists.

"These wins were big," Medellin said. "Coach said before this weekend that we had to win six out of our next 10 games to get into the Big Ten Tournament. These are the games we have to win."

Kersey, McCann and Medellin all said that it was special to have their accomplishments happen on senior day. Petrini said that it will be more emotional for her when she coaches them for the last time ever. She also said that this senior class holds a special place for her.

"These seniors were my first recruiting class here," Petrini said.

"They were the ones that took the leap of faith."

Those seniors played a key role in making a weekend that started so sour end so sweet.