For the NIU softball team, today’s doubleheader at DePaul at 3 p.m. will be time to fine tune for the remaining MAC schedule and conference tournament.

Some of that fine tuning will be getting players rested, said coach Donna Martin.

“We go out to win every game,” Martin said. “But we need to get some people ready and some people rested.”

Martin said the game will be an opportunity for younger players to get quality game experience.

NIU (18-20 overall, 6-8 MAC) is coming off a four-game home stand against MAC opponents, which they won the last three games. Martin said the momentum from the three-straight wins will help carry the Huskies through the regular season and MAC tournament.

DePaul (24-15, 9-5) is coming off a four-game sweep of conference opponents.

Martin said the pitchers for both games will be decided after Tuesday’s practice to see how the pitchers feel after the weekend.

Despite the loss, Martin said the team set the bar of play after a loss to then-No. 24 ranked Iowa.

“We raised our level of play across the board,” Martin said. “We don’t want to go below that. We want to go from that point on.”