NIU:

Key player: How about key players? The Huskies failed to score over the weekend against Western Michigan and will need all of its hitters to step up if they want to end its five-game losing streak in today’s non-conference matchup with Western Illinois.

Key stat: .067. That was the Huskies’ batting average this past weekend against the Broncos. Three hits in 47 at-bats won’t cut it if the Huskies (11-26, 6-4) want to get back to its winning ways against the Westerwinds (17-15, 10-1). The Huskies travel to Ball State for a doubleheader Friday and getting the rust off the bats in time for the MAC West division leaders will be important.

Coach’s Take: NIU head coach Lindsay Chouinard was unable to be reached for comment.

WIU:

Key Player: Ashley Campbell. The freshman is hitting .375 this year in 96 at-bats with three home runs and 18 RBI. NIU pitchers Morgan Bittner, Joreigh Landers and Andrea Colosimo, who all will most likely see action today, will have to be careful not to make any mistake pitches with Campbell.

Key stat: .339. That is the batting average between the top four hitters in the Westerwinds lineup. The bats of Campbell, Jamie Goss, Lauren Furgala and Colleen Biebel are the main reason the Westerwinds are 10-1 in Summit League play and a half game back of first-place North Dakota State (11-1).

Coach’s Take: WIU head coach Holly Van Vlymen on how her pitchers will approach NIU’s slumping hitting: “Stats are just numbers in my opinion. A lot of times, a lot of great hitters are still good hitters even though their stats may not show it number-wise. I think we approach every team the same whether they’re hitting .500 or .200.”