Missy Beseres wasn't really in the mood to celebrate.

Never mind that she had just broken the single-season record for strikeouts by a Penn State pitcher -- it was the one that got away moments earlier that remained in her mind.

In the top of the seventh inning of the Nittany Lions' first game against No. 23 Iowa yesterday morning, Beseres' record-breaking 195th strikeout was surprisingly anti-climatic. After holding the Hawkeyes to only four hits until the final stanza, Penn State's ace pitcher gave up what would turn out to be the game-winning home run to Iowa's Lisa Birocci.

The Lions didn't fare any better after the early 3-1 loss; the Hawkeyes added another victory later that afternoon, this time by a margin of 5-1.

"It was a frustrating weekend, a frustrating day I guess," Beseres said afterward with a noticeable sigh. "I don't really like to think about records."

It also didn't matter that the Lions (27-16, 5-5 Big Ten) had already picked up two victories on the weekend over Big Ten bottom-dweller Illinois (19-23, 1-11); yesterday's losses left Penn State with a bad taste in its mouth.

"You know, you've got to beat the top teams in the conference as well as the bottom ones," Penn State coach Robin Petrini said. "So this could very well come back and bite us in the butt."

Iowa dominated the Lions with its pitching in both contests. Not only did Birocci tally the game-winning homer in game one, she held Penn State to only six hits. In game two, Ali Arnold managed even better on the mound, allowing four total hits.

Penn State had been averaging 8.3 hits per game on the season, and 11.5 hits in its last six games.

"Their pitchers dominated us, that's why their ERAs are what they are," Petrini said. "Birocci, what can you say, the kid shut us down offensively and then she takes all three of their RBIs."

While the losses put a damper on the weekend for the Lions, they started the homestand well with two victories against the Fighting Illini. Freshman slugger Jen Acunto hit a leadoff homer to set the tone in game one against Illinois, and an error-filled third inning allowed the Lions to add to their lead, which eventually turned into a 4-1 win.

Saturday's contest between the two schools was more dramatic, although Penn State hung on for a 3-2 victory. Acunto scored two of Penn State's three runs, the most notable following a triple to lead off the top of the third inning.

Illinois staged a late comeback in the bottom of the fifth, but the Illini came up one run short of evening the score.

Injury notes

Penn State had quite a scare prior to Birocci's game-winning blast. While trying to stop Iowa's Natalie Johnson from stealing second base, Acunto fell to the ground with an apparent left ankle injury and remained there for several minutes. Luckily for the Lions, Acunto was well enough to stay in the game and would play the rest of the afternoon, although she did so with a noticeable limp.

Petrini said after the game that outfield Meghan Wolfer will miss the remainder of the season with an undisclosed injury. The injury bug is starting to add up for the Lions, who are already without fellow freshmen Rebecca Bautista and Holly Jackson. Bautista suffered a broken clavicle earlier this month, and Jackson is still recovering from an ACL tear she suffered before the season.