The Penn State softball team is looking ahead, but not past its doubleheader today against Kent State.

The Nittany Lions (27-20, 8-8 Big Ten) are looking to use the Golden Flash (26-14, 14-7 MAC) as a stepping stone to a berth in the NCAA Regional tournament.

The Lions split a series with regional foe Akron last week and a sweep of the current second-place team in the Mid-American Conference would have to help their regional standing.

It also wouldn't hurt to impress the Kent State softball coach Karen Linder, who is on the NCAA Regional committee.

"We definitely have to win these games because Kent State is in our region," senior Gina Bianchini said.

"We have to do well against teams in our region to assure us a spot in Regionals."

Penn State comes into the contest off of a weekend where it split its seventh and eighth Big Ten series. The Lions got stellar pitching efforts in the two victories and in one of the defeats. Marisa Hanson went 8 2/3 innings against Minnesota in a 1-0 loss. Of her 14 hits surrendered, only six left the infield. Her performance is more impressive considering she broke both bones in her jaw less than two weeks ago.

Sophomore Shana Riggleman is still coming on strong after two more good pitching performances that resulted in wins this weekend. She pitched a one-hitter against Wisconsin and after giving up two early runs to Minnesota, shut them down the rest of the way.

"Marisa and Shana have been unbelievable," Penn State softball coach Robin Petrini said. "Marisa was incredible. When you look at the boxes you think she got rocked, but she pitched a great game. Shana was fortunate we put up a lot of runs for her and she has been pitching well."

The Lions' third starting pitcher, Tina Skelly, has struggled lately. Petrini attributed her poor outings recently due to being sore and tired.

With just four games left in the regular season, the Lions should be able to look to their strong senior core to get some key victories. The group includes Penn State all-time hits leader Bianchini, first baseman Erin Norton, left fielder Megan Humphrey and right fielder Kelley Galigher. All have batting averages over .300.

"The seniors they have so much experience and the younger players look to them to learn and find out what it takes to dig deep and get the wins to make Big Tens and regionals," Riggleman said.