April 16, 2009

DEKALB, Ill. - The Northern Illinois University softball team continues its seven game road trip this weekend when the Huskies travel to Muncie, Ind. to take on Mid-American Conference foes Ball State for a doubleheader Friday, then head on to Oxford, Ohio for a weekend set with Miami (OH) Saturday and Sunday.

This weekend is NIU's (11-27, 6-4) first road trip in MAC play this season. The Huskies look to rebound from a doubleheader loss to Western Illinois Tuesday. Ball State (20-17, 10-1) leads the MAC West and heads into Friday's games winners of seven of their last eight. The RedHawks (22-17, 8-4) are second in the MAC East and have won five of their last six games heading into Friday's action.

"We are excited for conference games this weekend," NIU head coach Lindsay Chouinard said. "Ball State and Miami are both having good years and it will be a great challenge for us."

Emily Gooding (Lismore, Australia/Lake Land C.C.) and Zoe Sinner (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) have been the Huskies top performers in conference play. In NIU's 10 MAC games, Gooding is batting .462, going 12-for-26, with nine RBI and four runs scored, while Sinner is batting .370, going 10-for-27 from the plate.

First pitch for the first game on Friday is set for 12 p.m., with the second game to follow. Saturday's game with Miami (OH) is scheduled for 3 p.m., while the series finale slated to start at noon. All game times are Central. Fans can follow all the action of the Huskies' games with the RedHawks live via Gametracker.

-NIU-