NIU (17-20 overall, 9-6 MAC) vs. Eastern Michigan (14-24, 10-2 MAC) at 3 p.m. today and a doubleheader at 1 p.m. Saturday at Ralph McKinzie Field.

Coach’s Take

NIU

With Eastern Michigan at 10-2 in the MAC, NIU coach Ed Mathey knows the Huskies need to execute their gameplan to come out of the weekend victorious.

“We feel as a team we have a pretty good book on these guys for what we need to do,” Mathey said. “I think our hitters match up well with their pitchers. We have to execute on the mound.”

EMU

Coach Jake Boss Jr. was unable to be reached. Boss is in his first season as the Eagles’ head coach after being an assistant at the University of Michigan.

The first year coach has led the Eagles to a 14-24 overall record, but has EMU 10-2 in the MAC.

Last Time Out

NIU

The Huskies pounded out 16 hits and 10 runs, but it wasn’t enough for the win.

NIU gave up seven runs in the ninth inning to squander a 10-7 lead against Illinois State on Wednesday. Huskies first baseman Joe Etcheverry tied a school record with five hits in the loss.

EMU

The Eagles produced a solid offensive attack in their last game. EMU defeated Olivet College 15-1 on Wednesday.

Left fielder Michael Boyd led the team offensively. The senior went 3-for-4 and knocked in four runs.

Key Player

NIU

Huskies’ third baseman Jordin Hood struggled early in the season. However, he comes into today’s game with a career-high 11-game hitting streak.

“I’ve been seeing the ball a lot better than I was in the beginning of the season,” Hood said.

The sophomore is hitting .309 and has driven in 27 runs.

EMU

First baseman Steve Bradshaw is hitting .386 and has driven in 31 runs for EMU.

The Eagles will need his offensive production if their pitching staff continues on the same trend. EMU’s pitchers have allowed a .331 batting average against them.

Vital Stat

NIU

Home sweet home has been the Huskies’ motto – at least offensively.

NIU has scored 38 runs on 44 hits in its last three home games. Over the three-game stretch, the Huskies are hitting .393 as a team.

While NIU has utilized power hitting during this stretch, it has also avoided strikeouts. The Huskies struck-out just 16 times in 112 official at-bats during the three home games.

EMU

Opponents have lit up EMU’s pitching all season. The Eagles’ pitching has combined for a whopping 8.29 ERA. However, don’t be fooled by the 14-24 record.

“In my six years, they’ve been one of the better programs,” Mathey said. “They have a lot of guys back, will pitch the ball competitively and are really good at putting the bat on the ball.”

The Eagles have played a loaded schedule in 2008. They have played SEC powers Tennessee, Kentucky and Florida.