Two wins over Central Michigan on Saturday clinched NIU a spot in the MAC Tournament.

At 1:30 p.m. on Thursday at Firestone Stadium in Akron, Ohio, the No. 4-seeded Huskies (23-19-1, 13-7-1 MAC) will take on No. 5 Bowling Green (25-24-1, 15-9 MAC). The winner will earn the right to play No. 1 Marshall at 7:30 p.m. later that day.

Freshman outfielder Kelly Drozd takes a rip at the ball in Sunday’s 8-3 loss against C. Michigan.

“We’re peaking at the right time,” senior catcher Paige Shemoski said. “We need to continue this upward trend.”

No. 3 CMU will defend its MAC Tournament title when it plays No. 6 Miami at 11 a.m. The winner will take on No. 2 Western Michigan at 5 p.m.

However, before the tournament begins Thursday, NIU had other business to take care of.

In their last eight games the Huskies had five wins, one loss and one tie. NIU positioned itself for a shot at the MAC West title.

A Western Michigan loss on Sunday and a Huskies win over the Chippewas would’ve gotten the job done. NIU was not given the chance as Western Michigan beat Ohio 8-2 before the end of an 8-3 loss to CMU on Senior Day.

Lisa Mattke, Erin Holohan and Shemoski all played their last home games Sunday.

“Lisa has been an impact player for two years as a leadoff hitter,” NIU coach Donna Martin said. “Holohan did a great job at the end of the season giving us energy.”

Shemoski finished the season setting career highs in home runs (five), RBIs (37), runs scored (20) and slugging percentage (.472).

“I wouldn’t trade my time here for anything in the world,” Shemoski said.