Nothing has come easy for Penn State softball team, in the first two weeks of the season.

The Nittany Lions (3-7) have lost numerous tough games in the late innings, including an extra inning game that ended with one swing of the bat on a home run and a pair of games, where leads were squandered in the field, in the final inning.

The Lions will look to get back on track in Tampa, Fla. Penn State's early season losses have come against high caliber opponents, four of which were against ranked foes. Removing No. 3 Stanford (13-2), the Lions competition in Tampa is not as challenging, as their opponents combined record is 24-42-1.

"Its important going out and beating the teams we're better than," junior Erin Norton said. "We need to get the job done and get the victories."

Penn State will open the break with Central Michigan (2-3) on Monday, and South Florida (6-12-1) on Tuesday, before starting play in Speedline Inviational in Tampa, Fla. On March 7, Penn State will play against Georgia Southern (4-12) at 5 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. vs. Hofstra (0-7). On March 8 the Lions will square off with Western Michigan (2-3) at 4 p.m. and later that night against, Illinois-Chicago (10-5) at 6 p.m. The Cardinal will be the final game for Penn State before starting bracket play.

The Lions have focused on defense to avoid errors in the field at critical junctions of the game.

"We have worked on it (defense)," Norton said. "We tightened the strings and now were ready to go."

The Lions will compete against a pair of teams that were at the NFCA Classic. Stanford won four of its six games at the prestigious tournament and was crowned champions of the Gold Bracket consolations. Penn State will need to contain a pair of Cardinal senior to be competitive. First baseman Sarah Beeson is batting .500 with 20 hits, a home run and 13 RBIs. Fellow Cardinal, outfielder Jessica Mendoza is batting .319 with 14 runs, a pair of home runs and 12 RBIs.

Chicago-Illinois captured the Bronze Bracket Championship at the NFCA Championship.

The Flames roster is filled with a lot of offensive firepower as the team has hit 18 long balls through the first 15 games. Outfielder Edel Leyden leads the Flames with six rounder trippers and has 16 RBIs. Amber Stachura, has hit five long balls, Amanda Rivera has four. Rivera leads the team with 20 RBIs.

The Flames also get good pitching form the duo of Alison Aguilar and Alycia Creese, who have posted identical records of 5-2 and an ERA of 2.53.

The Lions know that will have their hands full with these two squads, but are looking for a strong performance over break, to get back on the winning way.

"It will be good trip if we get our overall record above .500," freshman Tina Skelly said.

"If we can accomplish that, we will be on track."