DeKALB | Starting off on the right foot always makes things easier.

Just ask the NIU softball team.

In four games this weekend, leadoff hitter Krista McPherson made contact eight times out of 13 at-bats – a .615 batting average for the weekend.

“I’m a lot more confident now. My swing feels a lot better,” McPherson said. “I know if I get on base it’s a good start.”

The Beecher, Ill., native points to her experience level for her recent success.

“It’s just finally being a junior, I have two years behind me,” McPherson said. “And knowing there’s a lot stronger line-up behind me helps, too.”

As experience has helped McPherson become more comfortable being lead-off, the same has been for the power hitters.

The batters hitting in the three, four and five spots in Sunday’s game provided eight RBIs. Two of those runs were McPherson.

NIU head coach Donna Martin thinks McPherson’s success over the weekend was crucial to NIU’s 3-1 standing in MAC play.

“It’s a catalyst for us,” Martin said. “She found a way to get one base. She was stellar.”