These two teams look almost identical on paper, with each having a strong offense and starting pitching capable of dominance. Friday’s series opener will feature each team’s aces going head to head.

After playing its last two MAC series’ on the road in unseasonably cool temperatures, NIU (17-10, 7-2) returns home to a snowy DeKalb for a three-game series with MAC East-leading Miami-Ohio. The first game of the series is scheduled for a 3 p.m. start today at Ralph McKinzie Field and will be broadcast live on WLBK 1360-AM.

Miami (17-10, 6-1) comes in as one of the best in the MAC, and coach Ed Mathey knows this weekend’s performance could be a measuring stick in determining how far along his team has come.

“Miami is a very good team,” Mathey said. “Up till now we’ve done a good job, but we are only a third of the way in.”

The pitching matchup is sizing up to be the difference with stars colliding.

The Huskies’ Trevor Feeney has been almost untouchable versus MAC opponents this year.

In three MAC starts, Feeney is 3-0 with a 2.02 ERA and 20 strikeouts. On the other end, Miami’s John Ely boasts an overall ERA of 3.57 in 52.2 innings.

“We are going to see a couple really good pitchers Friday and Saturday,” coach Ed Mathey said. “We need to take advantages of the opportunities that present themselves.”

Brandon Copp will take the mound for the Huskies in Game 2 against another tough pitcher in Connor Graham.

Either Mark Badgley or Matt Jernstad will get the start for the Huskies in the series finale.

Offensively, NIU comes in with a MAC best .298 batting average while the RedHawks have a .286 batting average, good enough for fourth in the MAC.

The Huskies also lead the MAC in runs scored and are tied for second in hits. Miami leads the MAC in triples and has the lowest strike out total in the conference.