For most softball coaches, it's a dream to have the top-five run producers and all of the pitchers returning after an above .500 season. For Penn State coach Robin Petrini, it's a nirvana.

Four exceptional freshmen took on roles as leaders last year as each ranked in the top five on the team in run production and two combined for just under 200 innings pitched.

The combination of sure-fire youngsters returning as sophomores has Petrini excited that Penn State will be a contender not only this year, but for years to come.

"This sophomore class really carried their banner last year and did some great things," Petrini said. "They are more confident, more sure of themselves and they know the routine so there is no new anxiety for them. They definitely exceeded our expectations last year."

Led offensively by sophomores Jen Acunto, Ashley Esperaza, Jenn Reynolds and Holly Haines, and senior Leigh Murray, the Lions will try to improve on a 36-23 record with a starting lineup that has eight of their starting nine bats returning.

Petrini said she believes her lineup is very balanced with speed at the top and power in the middle, but said that promoting power hitting has never been her philosophy.

"I keep telling our power hitters not to try to hit home runs because actually when you hit a home run, it is like hitting errors, so we need to focus on the process of having good at bats and the power will take care of itself," Petrini said.

Offensive players tend to think offensively and for two of Penn State's top four run producers, Acunto and Esparsa, it's no different.

Both said the offense will be the strength of the Lions this year.

While seeing offense as a pivotal aspect of the team, as a veteran coach, Petrini knows in a game where one success in three chances is considered All-American caliber, run production tends to come and go in spurts, regardless of talent.

She's a firm believer that consistent defensive play, matched with a solid pitching staff wins games.

"You'd think that based on last year, our hitting would be really good and I hope that that's the case," Petrini said, swithing the focus back to defense. "But pitching and defense is something we've worked on every day. We've worked on hitting as well, but you never know how you're going to hit until you see someone else's pitching.

Fifth year senior Missy Beseres will anchor a pitching staff that had the 25th best ERA in the nation at 1.62. She will return in the role of ace with Esparsa and Reynolds filling in behind her.

Last year Beseres set a school record with 260 strikeouts and posted a 17-13 record.

Petrini said the returning pitchers all made solid improvements in the off season and looks for each of them to match last year's production.

Petrini points to a fielding percentage of .965 last year as evidence that the defense will be solid once again this year.

"Well, defensively we're returning all of our starters so if I don't have confidence in our defense then we're in trouble," Petrini said. "I expect more of the same."

In order to become more successful, the Lions will have to work on their performance in the Big Ten as well as on the road. The Lions placed sixth in the Conference last year at 10-9 with a 7-11 record on the road. Despite knocking off some of the conferences best teams, Penn State was inconsistent.

Petrini said the team will be more prepared for battle in the Big Ten after last year's freshman development.

"I think this team understands what the Big Ten conference is all about," Petrini said. "It's pretty tough to say we're going to win a Big Ten title with Michigan returning but we expect to be in the thick of it."