Penn State softball third baseman Shauna Madura had plenty of opportunities to practice her home run trot during the opening game of yesterday's doubleheader against Bucknell.

The sophomore left the park not once, but twice during the mercy rule-shortened five-inning game. Her hot bat was the generator that powered a 10-run Nittany Lion offensive outburst against the Bison.

The two dingers tied the Penn State record for round-trippers in a game. Madura, however, wasn't satisfied with sharing a spot in the record books. A bases-loaded walk sandwiched between the three-run shots gave her seven RBI in the game, which shattered the previous single-game record by two and cemented Madura's place in Lion history.

She credited her powerful display to hitters' pitches and patience in the batter's box.

"[Bucknell pitcher Meeghan Haley] threw really good pitches and I just felt comfortable and relaxed in there," Madura said. "Coach [Jen McIntyre] just kept reminding me to stay big, hit through the ball and get my pitch."

Madura got her pitch and then some when she sent a 1-1 offering in the bottom of the second screaming over the left-centerfield fence.

Then, she displayed even more power in the bottom of the fourth when she challenged the deepest reaches of Nittany Field.

Madura sent a first-pitch fastball sailing over the centerfield wall and allowed the Lions to reach the mercy rule. The scorching line drive cleared the wall by about 10 feet and was a no-doubter off the bat.

Ever modest, Madura said the feeling of two home runs was great, but contributing to the Penn State win felt even more rewarding.

"I felt like I got a good piece of the balls and luckily [they] went over," Madura said. "I was just glad that I could be there for my team."