Entering its mid-week clash with Akron, the Penn State softball team is clicking on all cylinders.

The Nittany Lions (25-21) head into today's 3 p.m. road game against the Zips (25-19) having won three in a row and five of their last six.

"We need to keep hitting, and the pitching circle is doing great," Lions' head coach Robin Petrini said. "If we get good pitching in the circle we'll be in business, because our defense has been great all year."

The Lions' offense has been on fire of late, scoring a combined 23 runs in four games this weekend. Third baseman Jen Tripken blasted two home runs against Purdue yesterday to tie the Lions' single-season homer mark of 12.

The team has also had offensive output from the bottom of the lineup. Second baseman Susan Shuplock, the Lions' No. 9 hitter, smashed the first home run of her career this weekend in a 10-2 drubbing of Illinois. The senior had been hitting just .226 with four RBI entering the weekend.

Elevated into the Lions' starting lineup this season after the departure of All-Big Ten slugger Allison Medellin, Shuplock has been a valuable defensive player for the Lions this year. But the Brea, Calif., native's offensive display was a pleasant surprise this weekend as her father Wayne was in town to watch the game.

"It was exciting to see her hit one out with her dad here," Petrini said. "She's been hitting the ball really well lately. Everybody's hitting the ball well up and down the lineup."

The Lions' pitching staff has also been key to the team's recent string of success. Sophomore hurler Shana Riggleman pitched well in relief on Saturday, surrendering just two runs in a victory against Illinois. Freshman Tina Skelly allowed just one run in six innings of relief yesterday, while Missy Beseres gave up only two hits in a 2-1 Lions' victory. Beseres stressed the importance of getting out to another strong start today against the Zips.

"We've got to keep going at them hard," Beseres said. "We've just got to get into it right away."

Akron has been propelled to the top of the Mideast-American Conference's East Division on the shoulders of senior pitcher Lisa Keenan. The Zips' ace won her 11th straight decision this weekend to bring her record to 15-4.

Tripken said the team is excited to face a non-conference pitcher this week as a tune-up for important matchups against Big Ten foe Ohio State on Friday and Saturday.

"It's good to get a couple of swings against different pitchers," Tripken said. "And it's good for getting ready for next weekend."