DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University Softball team plays host to division foe Toledo in the final regular season series of 2017 at Mary M. Bell Field Friday.
 
The Huskies (28-18, 12-8) enter Friday's single game (3 p.m. CT) riding a seven-game winning streak. Following Friday's game, the two will play a doubleheader Saturday with game one starting at 1 p.m. and the second to follow.
 
Live stats will be available for all three games this weekend on NIUHuskies.com and fans can watch all the action live 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.
 
NIU enters Friday's series with the Rockets (32-32, 10-11) riding a seven-game winning streak. The Huskies kept the streak alive after rallying to defeat Big Ten foe Wisconsin, 6-4, Tuesday in Madison. While NIU is firmly in next week's Mid-American Conference Tournament, the Huskies can improve their seeding.
 
"We're trying to jockey for position," said NIU head coach Christina Sutcliffe. "There is still an off chance we can do some special things this weekend."
 
While NIU and Ball State are both 13-8 in league play, the Cardinals, by virtue of their series win over the Huskies own the tiebreaker and are currently the No. 3 seed. The Cardinals travel to Kalamazoo to face Western Michigan, who is battling for its postseason life as well. The Broncos are a game behind the Rockets for the eighth and final spot.
 
Reigning MAC West Player of the Week Abby Howlett (South Elgin, Ill./ St. Charles North) has led the way for the NIU offense during this seven-game stretch. The Huskie sophomore is batting .429 with seven RBIs and five runs scored. As a team, the Huskies are batting .315 as a team, but their clutch hitting has been the biggest difference in NIU's success at the plate.
 
"I think we're just being productive with our at bats," Sutcliffe said. "We're scoring a high percentage of our runners when we get them in scoring position. That's something we haven't done when we've been in our ruts.
 
"Honestly, our offense is just picking up our pitching right now. When we need them to, our pitchers are bearing down and getting us out of innings. In general, our offense is doing a great job of fighting."
 
There are several promotions on tap for this weekend. Fans are encouraged to bring their dogs to Friday afternoon's game for Bark in the Park. Every dog in attendance will receive a free Huskie dog treat and the Tails Humane Society will be in attendance for on-site adoption and adoption information. Following Friday's game, the NIU Softball and Women's Track & Field teams will be graduating in a special postgame ceremony with President Doug Baker.
 
Saturday is Senior Day and the NIU Softball team will recognize its five outgoing seniors – Jordyn Bowen, Kayti Grable, Kali Kossakowski, Becca Rupard and Skylar Weinstein – will be recognized before game one of the doubleheader.
 
-NIU-