A projected weekend forecast of possible snow showers and 30-degree temperatures await the NIU baseball team as it travels to Kent, Ohio for a three-game MAC crossover series with the Golden Flashes.

“The weather will be a big factor,” coach Ed Mathey said. “I think when the weather gets cold, it helps the pitchers more.”

KSU (11-17, 3-3) comes in to the series boasting a 3.87 team ERA, good enough for second in the MAC, while the Huskies (15-9, 5-1) bring in a conference-best .305 team batting average.

“It’ll be a good challenge for us,” said Huskie third baseman Jesse Seykora. “We have some pretty tough hitters on our team from top to bottom.”

NIU junior Trevor Feeney once again looks to set the tone for the Huskies in the series opener on Friday.

Feeney is coming off back-to-back complete game performances the last two Fridays, each against MAC opponents. Going the distance has given the Huskies golden opportunities to win series, as well as save their bullpen.

“It’s huge,” Mathey said. “The big thing for us is winning series. If you win Friday, you have Saturday and Sunday to go out there and get the series.”

KSU has lost some key position players from last year’s squad that went 19-7 in conference and won the MAC East, but solid recruits, such as former Elgin Community College star Doug Sanders makes KSU a force in the MAC every year.