DeKALB | For the second time this season, the NIU softball team faces a top 20 program at home.

The Huskies (18-21) play a double header against No. 17 DePaul (32-7) starting at 3 p.m. at Mary M. Bell Field.

Bill Baker of 1360 AM WLBK will also be calling the game for fans who cannot physically be present.

The last time NIU faced an opponent ranked in the top 20 was No. 8 Northwestern. The Huskies were unable to produce a victory in this game, as the Wildcats won 6-1.

NIU head coach Donna Martin looks forward to the chance to play DePual. The head coach enjoys playing out of conference games with teams from the surrounding area.

“We’ve had a long-standing relationship with DePaul for years, even before I was head coach here,” Martin said. “It’s been a nice competition between the two schools.”

DePaul brings similar qualities that the Wildcats brought about a month earlier, as the Blue Demons are lead by two ace pitchers.

Pitcher Tracie Adix comes into DeKalb with a 13-1 record and 0.59 ERA. The senior has 11 complete games this season and 111 strike outs.

Adix also has her counterpart in freshman pitcher Becca Heteniak. For the season, the pitcher has a 14-3 record with 105 strike outs. The freshman also is posting a 1.22 ERA.

NIU shortstop Krista McPherson believes her team must put up a quick lead against these two pitchers for the Huskies to be successful.

“Especially with DePual, we have to jump out earlier and get to their pitchers quick,” the junior said. “We can’t let them come in and get two games easy. We can’t let them get two games period.”