Penn State catcher Hollee Haines ended last night's doubleheader the same way she started it -- with a home run.

Haines smacked a three-run homer in her first at bat and finished with a game-winning solo shot in her last trip to the plate. The effort helped produce a 5-1 win and a 2-1 victory over St. Francis (Pa.) during last night's doubleheader.

It was the closest the Red Flash had come to a win in 16 years and 22 meetings.

St. Francis coach Erin Layton hesitated and paused for a good 10 seconds when asked if she was surprised by the close game.

"That would the wrong thing to say," Layton said, smiling. "I'm not answering that -- next question."

On both long balls, Haines extended her arms to make solid contact with two outside curveballs. Both went screaming over the left field wall.

"That second one, I think it was farther than the first," Penn State coach Robin Petrini said. "As soon as she hit it, I was like, "See ya! Whoopee!"

Haines' clutch hit came in the bottom of the sixth inning with the score tied at 1-1. The entire team emptied the dugout after Haines sent the bright yellow softball deep into the night sky.

Haines slowly jogged around third, taking in the scene of fans jumping up-and-down around the bleachers. Pitcher Jenn Reynolds said she was the first to greet Haines, simply mouthing "thank you" when the two returned to the bench.

"The pitchers were happy," Haines said with a laugh. "People were cold, too, so they wanted to get out of there."

It may have been 45 degrees, but Reynolds only stopped sweating after Haines' game-winner. Reynolds ended up with the win, and sophomore Ashley Esparza relieved Reynolds in the final inning, facing only three batters to end the game.

Esparza and Reynolds simply switched positions. Reynolds moved over to first base, and Esparza stepped inside the pitching circle.

But while pitching and defense was its normal, impressive self, Penn State's offense was a bit inconsistent.

After collecting 11 hits in the first game, the Lions were actually out-hit, 6-4, in the second.

"Obviously, today, we weren't driving in runs like we usually do," Haines said. "But everybody has ups and downs.

"We won and that's the important thing."

Petrini also praised the Red Flash (11-17), complimenting Layton on her somewhat-unorthodox strategy of putting her ace in the circle for the second game. The pitcher, Laura Caldwell, finished with seven Ks and only one earned run (Haines' homer). The Lions' first run came off an error on the third basemen.

With the two wins, Penn State (20-4) continues its best start in program history. The Lions have never recorded 20 wins before April.

"It's amazing being part of something -- making history -- especially for this team," Haines said. "I think we can go far."