It caught most everyone off guard when things got a little shaky the top of the fourth inning in game two.

The Penn State women's softball team had been enjoying nearly flawless pitching and defense in the first game of last night's doubleheader with St. Francis. Junior pitcher Shana Riggleman gave up only two hits while the rest of the Nittany Lions (16-21, 2-2 Big Ten) forced the Red Flash into the eight-run mercy rule by the bottom of the fifth.

Then the Lions capitalized on a pair of unforced errors in the beginning of game two to take the early lead 2-0.

But in the top of the fourth with two runners on base, the Red Flash sent sophomore Brianne McCabe to the plate. Lions' pitcher Marisa Hanson had already given up several hits and then things got worse.

McCabe sent a three-run shot over the centerfield fence to put the Flash ahead. It was the first and last time that night, though, that the underdog would have anything to cheer about.

"We got some hits tonight, and I think that our pitchers gained some confidence from these games," Penn State softball coach Robin Petrini said. "I thought we ran the bases well, also. We did more than just capitalize on their errors."

Unlike most of the previous games this season where the Lions found themselves on the sour end of unforced errors, in both games last night they found ways to score on wild pitches, dropped fly balls and even a railroading of St. Francis catcher Richele Hall at home plate.

Penn State's Steph Viola dropped her shoulder, bent her knees and threw her body into Hall causing the catcher to drop the ball and give up the fifth run of the game. The hit was so hard that the Lions were able to advance another runner from first to third base before anyone from the Red Flash got to the loose ball.

For the Lions though, it was an important step to take advantage of a weaker opponent at home. They managed to cut down on errors and get offensive production from much of their lineup.

"Most definitely we're getting results from the things we've been working on in practice," senior captain Barbie Pierce said. "We communicated on the field tonight and we've got to always be on the same page if we're going to play like this all the time."

Pierce didn't contribute much to the Lions offense in either game, but the shortstop was the keystone of two solid defensive performances last night.

Once again, leadoff freshman Jen Williams led the hitting for the Lions with four hits and four RBIs in eight at bats.

Riggleman earned the win in game one and sophomore Missy Beseres garnered the save in game two.