Winning three of its last four games, the NIU softball team will take a break from the MAC to play a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m. today at Valparaiso.

The Huskies (13-15) snapped a five-game losing streak Friday by beating Ball State.

Going on to win two of their next three, the Huskies jumped from last to third place in the MAC West.

The return of senior pitcher Lindsey LaChiana has led the Huskies to two of their last three wins while the Loyola-Chicago transfer recorded a save in the other win.

LaChiana went 3-1 to start the season before having to miss 11 games while attending to family business. She returned only to lose three games before recording her fourth win on the year in NIU’s first game Friday against Ball State.

However, the senior will need to bounce back from her last start against Miami-Ohio. LaChiana allowed one hit and one run before the third inning brought three home runs by Miami. Fortunately, the Huskies’ offense posted seven more runs for the victory.

On offense, the Huskies have received a spark from freshman right fielder Ashley Clement.

Coming into Friday, Clement was batting .182. The Moline native is now fourth on the team with a .267 average to go along with one home run, six RBIs, seven walks and five runs scored.

“I didn’t put a lot of pressure on myself, or high expectations,” Clement said. “I’ve felt more comfortable and settled down.”

But what the Huskies don’t have this season is a player batting over .300.

Enter Valpo (12-18), who has three hitters over .300, led by junior Megan Carroll’s .410 batting average.

Right behind Carroll is sophomore Shannon Robinson. The Toronto native is batting .354 and leads the team with 17 RBIs.

NIU is led by freshman Bailey Ouellette’s .292 average. Along with first-year player Jenna Roberts, who is hitting .286, three of the top four batting average leaders for NIU are freshmen.

One point behind Ouellette is senior Kelly Drozd at .291. The Huskies’ leadoff hitter is atop the team with 13 runs scored, a .538 slugging percentage and a .452 on-base percentage.

“Kelly [Drozd] has been aggressive at the plate,” NIU coach Donna Martin said. “She’s gave us the initial offensive spark we need to get going.”