"We didn't score a run for a while, and there was a lot of pressure on us," Reynolds said about the two-run, six-game stretch earlier this season. "We kinda just stepped back and said, 'Hey, just hit the ball and get on base. The runs'll come from that.' "

The sweep ends Penn State's seven-game conference losing streak, the longest in at least eight years, and pushes the Lions up from a last-place tie with Minnesota.

"Every team goes through a slump, and you get back on track -- and I think we're back on track," Penn State coach Robin Petrini said.

A slump may have been an understatement: the Lions' team batting average was in danger of falling below .200 in conference play. Still, Penn State increased its average 12 points to .215 after going 13-for-49 vs. the Golden Gophers (12-23, 1-9 Big Ten).

Pitcher Missy Beseres said run support was one of the keys to her success, as the burden of keeping runners off base was greatly eased -- Penn State led in 11 of the total 14 frames over the weekend.

"Our offense is starting to get on fire, and the pitchers just really need our support," right fielder Danielle Kinley said. "They can't win the game for us. We've got to produce the runs."

Kinley, a freshman, produced more than her fair share. She exploded by going 4-for-7 and accounted for half of her team's six RBI.

As usual, on the defensive side of the field, the Lions (25-11, 3-7) continued to impress. Minnesota didn't have more than one runner on base until the last inning of the last game when it had two.

The Gophers made it past first base on only two separate occasions throughout the series.

Penn State's ace, Beseres, was a big reason why. Petrini decided to start Beseres both games since she performed so well in the first.

Beseres finished with 19 strikeouts and three walks while scattering four hits and picking up her third straight complete-game shutout.

"I didn't know that," she said of the statistic. "The defense did a good job again -- Jen Williams and Jen Acunto made some great plays."

The Lions remain four games under .500 in the Big Ten but have four home games next weekend to make up the difference.

"We dug ourselves a pretty big hole, but our focus has definitely changed," Beseres said. "So getting these two wins under our belt -- that's just going to improve our confidence."

Sign away

A rowdy group of about six fans stood along the Penn State fence and seemed to have a sign for every player.

For Petrini, there was "Coach P. Marry Me." For Danielle Kinley, there was "Get a Double D." And for Reynolds (JR), there was, "Judge & the JuRy."

The group had Petrini and a few players sign their white T-shirts after the game. A fair majority of the cardboard signs were constructed on the back of Michelob and Yuengling boxes.

"It's hard to get down when you have that much positive energy coming from the crowd," Beseres said. "That support is just extra fun."

• Cheers keep pitcher grinning