Offense figures to be one of the main highlights in today’s softball home-opener when NIU hosts Bradley in a 3 p.m. doubleheader.

“I think it will be offensive,” said 11th year NIU coach Dee Abrahamson. “There will probably be lots of opportunities to score for both teams. Our hitters are doing a really good job. They (Bradley) have good pitching, and have always been known for their good hitting.”

Junior Lisa Gilfoy, a 5-foot-9 first baseman, leads the 6-10 Huskies in batting averages with a .400-plus average. Junior Julie Sexton, a 5-foot-8 catcher, is close behind.

Bradley (5-12) is also loaded in offensive talent with six players averaging over .250. Kim Melchior leads the Braves with a .360 average. She is followed by Kim Meils (.333) and Johanna Draeger (.286).

NIU will try to counter this balanced Bradley attack with the pitching of senior Mary Leake, sophomore Kristen Vandenhouten, and freshman Rachel Ortiz.

Bradley is led in pitching by Michelle Riggio, with a 3-2 record and a 1.51 ERA.

“We must be able to rise to the occasion, and be flexible with the people we have,” said Abrahamson.

The Huskies must rise to the occasion more than once in the near future as they prepare to play thirteen games in the next eight days. During that time, numerous players will miss games because of class conflicts or injuries, said Abrahamson.

Although the Huskies have a few factors working against them, the Braves find themselves in an equally challenging situation. One disadvantage for Bradley rests in its lack of leadership. They are a young team but are deep in their positions. Bradley is also a quick team on the basepaths.

Last season the Huskies faced Bradley four times. In the first outing, NIU pounded out eight runs for an 8-2 victory. NIU also won two other games by the score of 3-1 and lost a 2-1 heartbreaker.

Abrahamson doesn’t feel last year’s games will be indicative of this year’s outcomes.

“The last time we faced them, we were playing well, but they weren’t. I don’t think the game will be as easy as it was then,” said Abrahamson.