An object in motion will stay in motion unless acted upon by an outside force. When applying the eighth-grade, simplified version of Newton's first law to the free-fall dive that the Penn State softball team has suffered in the last two weeks, a cushy landing area could not come at a better time.

The Nittany Lions (21-11) hope Bucknell can be, at the very least, a pillow to soften their fall and like the prospects of the game to be a trampoline to shoot them out of their offensive slumber.

The humbled Lions will face off against the 8-22 Bison squad that serves as a mid-season tune-up game for a team desperately in need of an overhaul.

A day after Penn State's seventh straight loss in the Big Ten, coach Robin Petrini was more reserved in her evaluation of the team that was beaten by a walk-off grand slam.

"I've had 24 hours to think about it. I had to go home and think about what it was that I identified and my approach to it and what I expect their approach to be," Petrini said. "I think that offense and defense went south at the same time. Am I concerned that's going to continue? Absolutely not. Do I think we're going to rebound? Absolutely."

The offense will be given a perfect opportunity to show its worth going against Bucknell's pitching staff that has allowed more 10 or more runs five times already this season and has an ERA of 4.96. The pitching should settle in well against Bucknell's offense, which has scored just more than three-and-a-half runs per game against less fierce opponents.

Petrini has been tinkering recently with the lineup, in order to find maximum offensive production. Yesterday Petrini batted true freshman Danielle Kinley in the three and four holes in an effort to give her a new look.

"Kinley has no baggage, you know, she's gonna swing the bat for us and that's why she's up there," Petrini said of the freshman.

Petrini also experimented with shortstop Jen Acunto, putting her in the lead-off spot in the first game before returning her to the third spot.

"Those lineups definitely aren't set, though, that's for sure." Petrini said after the game.

After Sunday's loss, Petrini said she didn't have any confidence in some of her pitching staff. Yesterday, however, Petrini's long-term outlook was positive.

"[Sunday], I was not confident in that moment with them," Petrini said. "Do I have confidence in my pitching staff? Absolutely. Did I feel that at that moment I had confidence in them? No. I had confidence that [Jenn Reynolds] would get it done. It was her game."

Petrini hopes that Newton's third law of motion, "for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction," will also prove to be true, causing the team to rebound in the second half of its Big Ten schedule. The coach said right now, however, the opinions of other teams and rankings are not any part of her interests.

"I'm not concerned about showing anybody anything," Petrini said. "I'm concerned with what we do. I want to get us back on track."