As the first spring weekend of the year approaches, the NIU softball team looks to wrap up a majority of its non-conference schedule.

One of NIU’s opponents at the Hawkeye Classic in Iowa City, Iowa won’t be unfamiliar. The Huskies (8-9) face MAC opponent Ball State (7-14) for the first time this season when the two teams square off Saturday at a time to be determined. Despite being between a pair of conference foes, the game will not count toward conference record.

Ball State starts the season under the direction of new head coach Craig Nicholson. With that in mind, NIU head coach Donna Martin sees an advantage in facing Nicholson’s squad before conference play starts.

“We get to see a little bit of his philosophy before the season starts,” Martin said. “We’re going to get a little taste.”

NIU will play three other non-conference games at the Hawkeye Classic against North Dakota State (18-15), South Dakota State (9-13) and Iowa (18-13).

Iowa made it to the regional level of the NCAA softball tournament last year. However, facing quality opponents is nothing new for this year’s softball team. The Huskies have faced seven other teams that made it to the same level of the NCAA tournament as Iowa this season. NIU went 2-6 against said teams, but kept the run differential in all games to four or less.

The Huskies have had their chances to defeat the competition, but needed to take advantage of their offensive opportunities, Martin said.

“Our hitting has been here or there,” Martin said. “We just need to take advantage when we are presented with opportunities.”

Sophomore Randi Krieter is second on the team in batting average with .373. Krieter also leads the team in hits and RBI.