Hot bats will hopefully follow the NIU softball team into today’s games against Ohio University.

The Huskies are on the road again, as they take on the Bobcats at noon and 2 p.m. in a doubleheader in Athens, Ohio.

NIU (11-23 overall, 5-7 MAC) had a strong offensive performance in its last game. The Huskies scored a season-high eight runs in an 8-4 victory against Toledo.

Coach Lindsay Chouinard hopes to see her team continue their offensive success, as it takes on Ohio (18-19, 5-9), and Akron (14-14, 6-6) Saturday and Sunday.

“You always want momentum going into a contest,” Chouinard said. “They played hard last Sunday and hit the ball very well, and I hope to see the momentum roll through.”

Ohio is riding a four-game losing streak coming into the contest against the Huskies. The Bobcats have been struggling, but could be a threat to the Huskie defense.

Ohio is fourth in the MAC in team batting average, with a .271 mark. Despite her opponent’s success at the plate, Chouinard knows that the Huskies are capable of success.

“They just need to play the way they are capable of,” she said. “If our pitchers pitch the way that they should, we defend, and have timely hitting, we should have success.”

After today’s doubleheader, NIU will travel to Akron to take on the Zips. Akron will be a threat on the base paths for the Huskies.

The Zips are second in the MAC in stolen bases. The team has grabbed 98 bags from opponents, with 33 stolen bases tallied by outfielder Lisa McLean.

McLean has lit up the base paths, stealing more than twice the number of bases as NIU’s leading stealer, shortstop Krista McPherson. McPherson has 14 steals for the season.

However, Chouinard is ready to make adjustments on the field and on the bases when needed. The coach said the team needs a strong defensive performance throughout the weekend and will have to get outs early in the inning.

“It’s getting towards the end here, and it’s time for them to step up,” Chouinard said. “It’s their time; we are getting better, week by week.”