When a team improves, usually it is because of a group of veteran players whose collective light turns on at the same time. But the Penn State softball team (30-18, 6-7 Big Ten) has done things the completely opposite way -- it has used the offense of its four freshmen to improve a team that finished in eighth place in the conference last season. The quartet of freshmen includes shortstop Jen Acunto, catcher Hollee Haines and pitchers Ashley Esparza and Jenn Reynolds.

Acunto is the Nittany Lions' best hitter -- she leads the team in doubles (13), home runs (8) and RBI (31). At first glance, she doesn't appear to be much of a power hitter but Acunto has "really good mechanics," according to Penn State coach Robin Petrini.

Besides Acunto, the other three have all contributed significantly in their own way. Esparza has been the No. 2 pitcher needed for any team to have prolonged success. She has compiled a team-best 11-4 record and is second to ace Missy Beseres in ERA (1.59).

Esparza has been tremendous on the offensive end as well, as she leads the team and is second in the conference in batting average (.413), and has an on-base percentage near .500.

Haines has done a tremendous job as a rookie backstop and hit the game winning home run in the upset victory over No. 1 Michigan. Reynolds has been a solid pitcher who has mostly played in a relief role, but pitched well in those limited innings, compiling 45 strikeouts in 55.1 innings pitched (5.6 per seven).

"[The freshmen] have come in and filled the shoes they had to fill," Penn State center fielder Leigh Murray said.

The freshman Lions will have to continue to lead as they wind up the regular season with six more conference games followed by the conference tournament and the NCAA tournament in late May.

Here is a break down of Penn State's final three opponents:

Purdue (31-19-1, 7-7)

The 2005 Boilermakers have used the old baseball formula: solid pitching plus strong defense will equal a lot of wins, improving on last year's cellar-dwelling team.

The Boilermakers pitching staff has been solid all season, sporting a 2.50 team ERA. While they have not been spectacular, the duo of right-handed pitchers -- junior Diana LaRiva and sophomore Brooke Baker -- has been good enough to record 25 of the team's 31 victories. LaRiva as been the ace of the staff, the native of Tustin, Calif., has a team-low 1.88 ERA along with a team leading 235 strikeouts.

The Boilermakers offense is led by senior second baseman Andrea Hillsey and sophomore DaQueta Johnson. The two have worked in tandem all season with Hillsey getting on base and Johnson knocking her in.

Hillsey is currently ranked in the top 10 in the conference in runs scored, on-base percentage and hits, while Johnson is fifth in RBI.

Indiana (13-35, 2-12)

The Hoosiers are currently the worst team in the Big Ten, not just record-wise but in just about every statistical category. Enough said.

Ohio State (24-14, 4-6)

The Lions' natural rival is among the pack of six teams that have gathered in the middle of the Big Ten, and one of them will not make the tournament. Right now the Buckeyes are that team.

"With Ohio State, it doesn't matter where the two teams are in the standings," Petrini said. "It is the last game of the season and has a lot of bearing on where we are seeded in the [Big Ten tournament] or if either team even gets in."

Ohio State is led by sophomore outfielder Megan Schwab. She leads the team in hits (42), doubles (10), home runs (7) and RBI (32). Schwab is second on the team and tenth in the conference -- behind Acunto -- in batting average, hitting at a .388 clip.