DeKalb | This weekend, the NIU women’s softball team gets a chance to see the full spectrum of MAC play as they face off against the best and worst teams in the MAC.

Today, after a long bus ride, the Huskies (16-19, 5-5) go up to Buffalo where they will take on the Bulls (3-33, 1-7), who are on the bottom of the MAC this season. First pitch is at 1 p.m.

Buffalo has been struggling both offensively and defensively this season.

Its leading batter is sophomore outfielder Erin Zilka, who is hitting .255 on the season with 12 RBI.

On the mound, they are led by the right-handed freshman Sharon Barr. Barr is the closest thing to the Buffalo’s ace as she is 2-13 on the season with a team-best 6.14 ERA.

On Saturday and Sunday, NIU will change locations to Kent State (21-14, 7-1), where they will be forced to be on top of their game to take on the MAC-leading Golden Flashes.

Saturday’s contest is slated for a 2 p.m. start, while Sunday is set for 1 p.m.

Kent State is led by a solid pitching staff that has a team ERA of just 1.84.

The staff ace is freshman Kylie Reynolds who boasts a 1.09 ERA with a 10-5 record.

Reynolds averages over 11 strike-outs per seven innings this season.

On the offensive end, the Golden Flashes have plenty of weapons including junior first basemen Jamie Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick is hitting .333 from the plate this season while leading the team with 8 home runs and 25 RBI.

NIU’s Krista McPherson has continued her success at the plate and is now hitting .368 with 22 runs scored.

The Huskies have struggled on the road this season where they are 11-15.