A big test and opportunity looms for the NIU baseball team this weekend.

The Huskies (21-23 overall, 12-9 MAC) travel to Muncie, Ind. to take on Ball State (26-18, 11-7) in a three-game series. NIU trails the Cardinals by a half game in the MAC West and sits third in the standings, a game and a half behind Eastern Michigan.

“This is a big series, no doubt,” said NIU head coach Ed Mathey. “We’re on the road and we have a great chance to make a positive step towards the MAC Tournament and our kids have to be ready to play really good baseball.”

The Huskies send starter Trevor Feeney to the mound today at 2 p.m. to face Cardinals right hander Tyler Pritchard. NIU starters Adam Holdenrid and Matt Jernstad wrap up the weekend rotation.

Feeney leads the MAC in complete games (three), innings pitched (56) and wins (four) in conference play. NIU’s defense has to continue to play well in order to be effective, Mathey said.

“We need to throw first-pitch strikes and let the defense work for us,” Mathey said.

As a ballclub, the Huskies are batting .285. Outfielder Danny Reed has the second-highest batting average at .320. The senior leads the team with 18 doubles and is third with 32 RBIs.

“I think we’ve got a chance to be effective offensively,” Mathey said. “We have to get on base early in the inning. We can’t wait for two outs.”

BSU leads the overall series over the Huskies 29-18-1. NIU swept the series in 2007, but they do not expect the same ballclub.

“They were a little down last year than usual, but they look like they’re bouncing back to form this year,” Mathey said. “It’ll be a challenge for us.”