DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University Softball team begins defense of its 2016 Mid-American Conference West Division title in earnest when it faces Akron in the home opener at Mary M. Bell Field Friday.
 
With inclement weather expected in the area over the weekend, the Huskies (11-10) and Zips (11-13) will play two games on Friday with first pitches set for 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Central Time and a single game on Saturday. Saturday's series finale is tentatively scheduled for 3 p.m. CT. Live stats and live video will be available for all three games.
 
"I think they're just excited to play in front of their own fans," NIU head coach Christina Sutcliffe said. "Traditionally, we've struggled a little bit early on with controlling that, so I think that's something we have to figure out how to emotionally settle in and stay focused throughout the games."
 
Not only is Friday's game the home opener for the NIU, it is also the conference lid lifter for both teams. The Huskies did play two games at Ohio to open the season but they were not conference games. Sutcliffe hopes that with it being the start of MAC play, that will help add some focus to her players
 
"I think they're ready to start the MAC," Sutcliffe said. "I think they're ready for the second part of our season to start. It feels like a fresh start for some of them. I think they can refocus and have a little more concentration on one team in a weekend instead of five. That's a huge difference."
 
It was a mixed bag for the Huskies through their first 21 games. Rescheduled tournaments, cancelled games, above average weekends, average weekends, some below average tournaments, and some travel struggles along the way, the NIU Softball team has seen it all in the first month and a half of the season. Sutcliffe feels the team is better for it.
 
"I think we had our fair amounts of ups and downs," she said. "Every team can cruise around when you're doing well. It's what can you do when you struggle. I think it brought them together in the end. Hopefully, we'll be able to take that into conference and be able to get through some of those challenges."
 
NIU's series with Akron is part of an eight-game homestand for the Huskies. NIU take on Loyola in a doubleheader on Wednesday before welcoming Bowling Green for a weekend set starting Friday, Mar. 31.
 
Live video of all three games this weekend and all Huskie Softball home games is available through NIUTube at NIUHuskies.com. Prices range from $6.95 for a 24-hour pass, $10.95 for a monthly subscription and $89.95 for a yearly pass. Sign up today at NIUHuskies.com.
 
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