After weeks of road play, the NIU softball team is happy to be home.

The Huskies have gone 4-14 on the road this season and make their home debut today in a double-header against Loyola-Chicago.

The first game starts at 3 p.m. while the second is slated for 5 p.m.

“It’s always nice to play at home,” said head coach Lindsay Chouinard. “Your home crowd, your home fans and your family is here. I hope we do [see home field advantage], but I don’t know with these girls. We haven’t played at home yet.”

The Huskies enter today’s competition after a split weekend against St. Mary’s. Though the team converted for six runs in its win, NIU was shut out the next day in a 2-0 loss. Chouinard said she wants to see more consistency from the bats, as well as from the defense and pitching staff.

“We need offensive consistency, defensive consistency and consistency on the mound,” the coach said. “If you have consistency in all three places, you’re probably going to win the ball game. Even if you have consistency in two areas, you’ll probably win the ball game.”

Senior Katie Colby has been the team’s most consistent batter with a .450 percentage. The outfielder has been to the plate 20 times and has converted for nine hits and seven RBIs.

Sophomore Andrea Colosimo and senior Bailey Ouellette have also been consistent at the plate, and the two share the lead for the team’s most home runs, each with two. Both also have a triple attached to their names.

“We’re just trying to get better and gel together,” Chouinard said. “It’s all about finding that rhythm and gelling together. So far they’re doing really well, and they understand what we’re trying to do.”