KENT, Ohio, April 29, 2003 - The Penn State softball team shutout the Kent State Golden Flashes in both games of the doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon at KSU Softball Field, 2-0 and 4-0. Senior Megan Humphrey (San Diego, Calif./Mount Carmel) tied the Nittany Lions' career doubles record in game two.

The Lions got on the scoreboard quickly, as sophomore Mandy Nuxoll (Kelso, Wash./Kelso) led off the top of the first inning with a line drive to left field and went to second on a sacrifice hit from Humphrey. Senior Kelley Galigher (Pleasanton, Calif./Foothill) then drove Nuxoll home with a hit up the middle to give Penn State the 1-0 lead.

Penn State tacked on another run in the fourth inning in the same manner, pushing the lead to 2-0. This time it was junior Erica Greenberg's (Irvine, Calif./Calvary Chapel) one-out single that scored senior Jackie Dabrowski (Lafayette Hill, Pa./Plymouth Whitemarsh). Dabrowski led off the inning with a line drive to center field and was moved over to second base on a sacrifice hit from freshman Destinie Chavez (San Leandro, Calif./San Leandro).

Kent State had an opportunity to cut into the lead in the fifth inning. Jodi Stevens drew a walk to start the bottom of the inning. After successfully stealing second base, she reached third on a fly out in foul territory down the first base line. With two outs and Stevens on third, Nuxoll made a diving play at short to catch a line drive to protect the Lions' two-run advantage.

Junior Marisa Hanson (Victoria, Texas/Victoria) struck out five batters and limited the Golden Flashes to three hits to earn her fifth shutout victory of the season. Nuxoll notched two of the Lions' five hits, going 2-for-4 with a run scored.

A Golden Flashes error in the second inning led to the Lions taking a 1-0 lead. Senior Erin Norton (Orange, Calif./El Modena) tried to run out a bunt single, but Kent State third baseman Jodi Stevens made the throw in time, however, Norton was safe on the play when KSU first baseman Lea Dorto dropped the throw. Greenberg came through for PSU as she had in the first game, knocking out a two-out single to sore Norton.

The Lions got into a jam in the bottom of the third inning, giving up back-to-back hits with one out, putting runners on first and second bases. But a line out to PSU second baseman junior Barbie Pierce (Citrus Heights, Calif./El Camino) led to the double play as she doubled off the runner on second base to end the inning.

In the top of the fifth inning, Humphrey's 36th career double sent home sophomore Steph Viola (Minersville, Pa./Minersville), who was running for Chavez, putting the Lions on top, 2-0. Chavez drew a walk to lead off the inning. Humphrey is one two-bagger away from tying the school's career record.

Humphrey broke the game open, belting out a two-run home run in the top of the seventh inning, 4-0, also moving her into a tie for third all-time in PSU's career annals. She is tied with Nan Sichler who knocked out 15 homers from 1985-88.

Penn State outhit the Golden Flashes, 7-3, with Humphrey leading the way going 2-for-4. Riggleman scattered three hits and did not walk a batter in the win.

The Nittany Lions close out the regular season with a two-game series at Ohio State on May 4 and 5. Game times on both days are scheduled for 1 p.m.