When it comes to softball, Penn coach Leslie King has a one-track mind.
And with good reason. Her Quakers (14-10, 6-2 Ivy) have scored less than three runs only twice in their past 15 games, while topping 10 four times. So when equally hot-hitting Temple (6-11, 2-0 Atlantic 10) visits Warren Field for a doubleheader this afternoon, the Penn coach knows the keys to victory.
"We're a good-hitting team, and obviously Temple's a good-hitting team," she said. "But sometimes our pitching and defense shows up, and sometimes it doesn't."
It failed to show up last weekend, when Harvard made the Quakers forget about their 4-0 Ivy League start with 9-6 and 6-3 wins in Cambridge. Penn gave up eight unearned runs in the first loss, while in the second, pitcher Emily Dendstedt crumbled under the Crimson offense to the tune of nine runs.
Penn's offense, on the other hand, has been on point as of late. The Quakers topped 11 runs in their last two games, both road wins against Dartmouth. But as Saturday's doubleheader sweep showed, the Quakers' fate can hinge on their pitching staff.
As for the Owls themselves, King is not nearly as confident that she has the answer.
Part of that is because Temple has an impressive resume, even if it doesn't boast too many quality wins. The Owls have losses to major-conference powers Arizona, Oklahoma, Virginia and Texas Tech on the books.
At the same time, King points out, an eight-game losing streak to start the Owls' season - even if they were to top-notch teams - doesn't automatically make them a tough opponent.
But it should make one thing crystal clear.
"We don't really know what to expect," King said.
But any scouting report would have to begin and end with sophomore Katie Burdeaux and her league-high .467 batting average. Along with classmate Courtney Norene, she has put on a clinic, hitting for both average and power. Burdeaux also has four home runs this year, while Norene, who is third in the league with a .431 mark, leads with five round-trippers.
Temple does not play again until this weekend, so Penn could end up seeing the Owls' ace on the mound. Freshman Ashley Smuda has appeared in every game so far for Temple, accruing the team's best earned run average (3.82) and five wins in the process.
But the best storyline might not come during the games. The Quakers will also give short tributes to Maddie Huntington, an eight-year old Penn softball fan who has kidney problems. Huntington will also throw out the first pitch.
That is unless the weather ruins the day - the forecast is for rain.
