Penn State softball coach Robin Petrini knows that one of her team's best assets lies in her lineup. Looking up and down the order, everyone has the ability to be a playmaker and win games.

Several batters have shared the limelight at certain times, but sophomore Kayce Zielinski has made the spotlight her home. There are few times this season when the Nittany Lion second baseman was not a part of a rally or the hero herself.

This weekend's pair of series against Indiana and Purdue were no different. In the first series with the Hoosiers, Zielinski was one batter that none of the Indiana pitchers could retire. She went 4-for-4 with six RBI and two walks. Her grand slam on Saturday marked her fifth shot of the season, second most on the team. Zielinski normally bats fifth, which gives her a lot of opportunities to drive in runs.

"This year, wherever there's a hole, they stick me," Zielinski said. "If that's my job on the team, I'll do it to the best of my ability, and I'm happy to be in that role."

Although the Lions went on to drop both games against Purdue on Sunday, Zielinski generated the only run in the doubleheader.

The Boilermakers were already ahead 1-0 in the second meeting when Zielinski came up to bat in the fourth inning with two outs. Her single was followed by a double, allowing her to speed home.

"[Kayce] has been clutch for us these past couple of games," Petrini said. "She didn't come through in one at-bat, but she started the rally when we ended up scoring the run. Kayce has just been having a phenomenal year for us."

For Jeff and Becky Zielinski, it was the perfect time for their daughter to have yet another offensive explosion. Her family made the trip from Arlington, Texas, to see the Lions' final homestead.

After Saturday's game, Becky was more than excited to be at Penn State instead of impatiently relying on the Internet for updates.

"[It was the] most exciting day of my life, it was great," Becky said. "It's very frustrating because the Gametracker doesn't always work, and the audio doesn't always work. It's nice [to come see her play]. We're very proud of her."

Zielinski had several options at the end of high school, but the decision was easy, and her parents were willing to follow her anywhere.

"She was recruited by a lot of schools down in Texas, but when she visited here, I mean, come on, it's Penn State, it's beautiful," Becky said. "She fell in love with it the first day she was here."

With the way she performed this weekend, Zielinski suggested that her parents should come to every game if she was going to hit that well. In reality, she doesn't need an audience.

After a somewhat low-key freshman year, Zielinski has blasted her way to the top of the list of players Petrini wants at bat in clutch situations. Her current .304 batting average and demeanor in high-pressure situations have led to her success on the diamond.

Although there are many dangerous bats in the Lion lineup, there are very few who have come through as consistently as Zielinski's. However, it has never been about the numbers or clutch hitting. She has found success in the little things, and more often than not, it has been in critical situations.

"I just look to put the ball in play and make things happen," Zielinski said. "That's my focus this year. If I can make things happen for the team, and we get runs, that's great."