DeKALB | Weather and circumstance may prevent the NIU softball team from playing this weekend.

The bad news first came about three weeks ago, when the third team of the Panther Prowl Tournament tournament in Charleston, Ill. dropped out.

“If we get to play, then it will just be a double-header on Saturday or Sunday,” NIU head coach Donna Martin said.

The weather could also stand in the way of NIU taking the field. While the temperature around Eastern Illinois’ Williams Field has been in the 50’s, the field itself is still thawing.

This has prevented the Panthers (6-5) from covering their field, allowing the rain to pour on it. This might cause the field to be unplayable this weekend and the double header to be cancelled.

If NIU (5-4) does get the chance to play, Martin believes defense and taking advantage of opportunities will be the key for producing a couple wins.

“We need to play solid defense, especially on the bunt,” Martin said. “We had a lot of opportunities last weekend, but we didn’t cash in.”

Starting pitcher Taryn Hagemann’s participation in this weekend’s tournament will be a game-time decision, Martin said.