DeKALB | Following a rout of a winless team, the Huskies have a taller order on their hands.

The NIU men’s baseball team (8-7) opens conference play Friday when it hosts the first of a three-game series against Ohio (9-7) at 2 p.m. The teams square off again Saturday and Sunday, with both games set to start at 1 p.m. The Bobcats have won nine of their last 11 games, but come to DeKalb winless in their five road contests.

The NIU offense has been explosive of late. Led by reining MAC Player of the Week Jesse Seykora, the Huskies have nine regulars hitting over .300 thus far.

“This is the go-time,” NIU head coach Ed Mathey said. “Every game is important because they all count on the schedule, but the road to the NCAA for us is through the MAC, and that starts this weekend.”

A young NIU team limped to the finish line in conference play last season, but the staff is enthused by its offseason workouts, as well as the result of the non-conference portion of the schedule for the Huskies this season.

“We did well non-league last year,” Mathey said. “The league is where we left some food on the table, and the guys are hungry to get that back.”

Junior Trevor Feeney (1-2, 6.38) takes the mound on Friday, and will be followed by Brandon Copp (2-0, 3.79) Saturday. Sunday’s starter has yet to be determined.