While the women’s softball team has every intention of playing its home opener today, Mother Nature may have other plans.

The Huskies are scheduled for a 1 p.m. doubleheader against the Iowa Hawkeyes, but at press time play looked questionable because of rain.

“Right now our top priority is to play,” coach Dee Abrahamson said. “It’s not looking good right now. Yesterday (Sunday) the whole team got together to put the tarp down. If we did not have a tarp, the game would definitely be cancelled with all the rain we have had.”

NIU went through a cold spell during the weekend tournament at Southern Illinois University, so the squad really does not want its first home game dampened by rain. If it is, it will be the second year in a row NIU has had its home-opener called from rain.

After posting a 10-2 record in Florida, the Huskies traveled to SIU, winning one of four games, giving NIU an 11-5 slate.

The Huskies are anxious to hit their own field, with Lynn Lacy pacing the way for NIU, holding a .360 batting average. Junior Jill Justin continues to bring home runners with 12 RBIs. As a team, the Huskies sport a .250 average.

The Huskies want to use their home-field advantage to the best of their abilities. Abrahamson said it is nice to be at home, because friends from the dorms and frat houses are there. She also said the players know the field and know all the bounces a ball may take.

“Being at home is always exciting,” Abrahamson said. “Fans are number one on the list. They give us that extra motivation. If we play in the drizzle, however, not many may come. We want people to know everyone is welcome.”

If both games are played, surely the NIU squad would not want a repeat of last year. Iowa defeated the Huskies with one-run losses of 4-3 and 1-0.

During the first game, NIU was leading until the Hawkeyes came up with two runs in the seventh to send the game into extra innings. The Hawkeyes held the Huskies scoreless in the top of the eighth and then scored the winning run with their at bat. NIU gave up 12 hits in that game.

“We are trying to find out about the team right now,” Abrahamson said. “We really don’t know too much.”

Abrahamson said if the games are canceled there are many factors involved with working a rescheduled game. The obvious element is solving a date both can agree on.

“If they (Iowa) spend money with eating expenses and driving out here on the bus, then we won’t make it up,” Abrahamson said. “If they call in the morning and we can tell there is no way we can play, then we will work out a schedule.

“Even if a day looks open, it might not be a possibility. For example, next week we play Northwestern on Wednesday, and Thursday we leave for a tournament at Northern Iowa. If (the Hawkeyes) wanted to reschedule for Tuesday I would have to say no because the team would miss classes on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and that is too much.”