Batting has normally been a sore subject for the Penn State baseball team -- but that's beginning to change.

The Nittany Lions (7-6) exploded for 25 runs over the weekend to complete a three-game sweep of Delaware (7-11). Penn State defeated the Blue Hens 6-1, 12-6 and 7-1.

"Everybody's hitting the ball on the team," outfielder Lance Thompson said. "Everybody has confidence right now. Last year, we weren't sure who was going to hit the ball in any game.

"This year's a lot different."

Thompson recorded his first home run of the season in yesterday's contest. The round-tripper came in the eighth inning and increased the Lions' lead to five.

Of course, Penn State's hitting in the final two frames was strong throughout the weekend -- the Lions recorded 10 total runs in the eighth and ninth innings of the three-game series.

"It was a good offensive weekend," Penn State coach Robbie Wine said. "You play according to your game, and there was no letup."

While the scores tell a dominating tale, the Lions did have a few close calls.

In the second game of Saturday's doubleheader, Penn State jumped out to an early 5-0 lead after Delaware's left-handed pitcher, Brent Gaphardt, had trouble finding the strike zone.

Gaphardt walked four batters -- in the first inning -- as the Blue Hens allowed five runs on just two hits.

Delaware cut the deficit to one run in the fifth inning, but the Lions bounced right back by scoring eight consecutive runs.

Yesterday's game was fairly similar.

Tied at 1-1, heading into the bottom of the fifth. Catcher Aaron Greenfield led off the inning, and it initially looked as if he hit a home run.

However, the officials ruled the ball bounced off the top of the fence, coming back into play. So, instead of a home run, Greenfield had to settle for a triple.

On the next play, Greenfield was thrown out at home on a fielder's choice. A 1-4-3 double play later, the inning was over -- and the Lions had nothing to show for the leadoff triple.

"If you stay aggressive, be smart about it and stay focused and concentrated at your own at-bat, good things will happen," Wine said of the team's mentality.

Luckily for Penn State, the bats came alive in the sixth frame.

The Lions recorded four straight singles to drive in one run, as Clint Eury later doubled off the right-center field fence to send in another two runs -- making the score 4-1 and effectively putting the game out of reach.

And while the offense played uncharacteristically well, the pitching staff continued its consistent performance.

Sean Stidfole struck out a career-high 11 batters, as Penn State finished with 28 total strikeouts during the three-game stretch.

The Lions never trailed during the weekend, and they're currently above .500 for the first time this season.

"To tell you the truth, I wasn't real sure of our record going into this weekend," Wine said. "That's one of our strengths. We're taking it one game at a time."