Eight MAC games remain while the NIU softball team attempts to return to the MAC tournament for the first time since 2003.

At 1 p.m. today, against Akron, the Huskies (6-8 MAC, 18-21 overall) will begin a doubleheader before playing at 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday at Ohio.

Akron (10-4, 21-18) sits atop the MAC East while Ohio (6-8, 23-30) and NIU hold the final two spots for the eight-team MAC Tournament. However, Miami and Ball State are close behind with 5-9 MAC marks.

“Our goal is to win the weekend,” said NIU coach Donna Martin. “If we can do that, we put ourselves in position to make some noise.”

Akron dual-threat freshman Julie Boyes leads her squad with 23 RBIs to go along with a .288 batting average and two home runs. The pitcher is also 8-6 with a 2.15 ERA and 79 strikeouts.

Meanwhile, the NIU offense has been up and down as of late. The Huskies scored one run in their game April 21 before scoring 16 runs over the next three games before being shutout Wednesday against DePaul.

“Hitting is 90 percent mental,” Martin said. “You need confidence and the ability to focus, and forget the rest.”

NIU is third in the MAC with 20 home runs and 51 doubles, and its 107 walks place it fifth in conference.

On defense, NIU pitching rates third in MAC play with 86 walks allowed and fourth in runs, with 131 allowed.

Pitchers Taryn Hagemann and Lindsey LaChiana, who rate No. 13 and No. 17, respectively, in the MAC will have to take on a well-rounded Ohio offense over the weekend.

Ohio ranks in the top five in 17 of the 21 MAC team offensive categories. Three of its players are hitting over .300 while seven players have 15 or more RBIs. Michelle Nendza’s 20 RBIs make her the only Huskie with more than 15.

Senior outfielder Kelly Drozd is next in line with 14 on the season.

Ohio’s Marian Davis has been hit by a pitch 21 times this season, tying her for first in the nation.

“Traditionally, Ohio has always been a good offensive team,” Martin said. “They have a new coach this year, so I’m not sure as to what their philosophy is, or if it’s changed.”