Those who followed NIU’s softball team last year may not recognize the team this season.

Most of the players are the same, but the style of play has undergone an overhaul.

The change can be attributed to first-year head coach Lindsay Chouinard.

While Chouinard may not be familiar with NIU prior to this season, she’s used it to her advantage. The former DePaul University pitcher allowed players to make a first impression on her.

“I’m not really sure who contributed last year,” Chouinard said. “I didn’t play Northern, so I came in with no preconceived notions. I thought it was important for the girls to know that it was a clean slate and they all had a fresh start.

“I’m going to put the best talent on the field and do what it takes to win.”

Six games into the season, one thing is for certain: The Huskies are more active on the bases than they have been in years past.

So far this season they are 13 of 18 in stolen bases. During the entire last season they only attempted 56 steals and were successful 38 times.

“We’re expecting a different style of play,” Chouinard said. “We’ve worked a lot on getting in shape and getting faster and quicker and relying a lot on making things happen offensively.”

Senior shortstop Krista McPherson has four of those stolen bases and has yet to be thrown out. McPherson was second team All-MAC last season and had a team-best .338 batting average.

“We’re just really hungry to play right now,” McPherson said. “It’s really hard to keep the intensity up for such a long time. Since Christmas break, it’s just dragged on.”

Another familiar face will be that of sophomore pitcher Kate Greenough.

The righty had a 15-13 record last season with an ERA under 3.00.

The Huskies also return senior Taryn Hagemann to the mound and unveil a new face, as well.

Oregon native Joreigh Landers has been added to the rotation. During her senior season of high school, Landers boasted 16 wins with a 1.16 ERA .

“We’re really looking for pitchers to make a statement,” Chouinard said. “Two of our pitchers have a lot of experience. They really need to step up because this is a pitcher-dominated game.”

NIU’s goal on the mound is simple.

“We want low-scoring games from the other side and high-scoring from us,” Chouinard said.

As a result of NIU being located in a wintry climate, the Huskies will open up the season with 28 straight road games.

Four of those will come this weekend when they head to Missouri to play a pair of games against both St. Louis and Evansville.The Huskies will look at snap out of a two-game skid and build on their 4-2 record.

St. Louis is 4-9 this season and has given up some big numbers to opposing teams, including dropping a game 18-3 to Arkansas. Evansville, on the other hand, is off to a 10-6 start and have scored 10 or more runs four times this season.

They are led by sophomore catcher Krista Price. The speedy lead off hitter is batting .380 and is 9 for 10 in stolen bases this season.