With the NIU softball team’s eight remaining games all against MAC opponents, all games are of vital importance, Huskie boss Donna Martin said.

NIU (18-18, 8-6 MAC) has a doubleheader on Saturday and another game on Sunday against Bowling Green (22-21, 12-6 MAC) at Mary Bell Field. The games start at 1 p.m. both days.

After playing well against Kent State on Wednesday, Martin wants the team to execute the same way as it pounded out 21 hits in that doubleheader.

“I think that we need to continue playing the way that we have been playing,” Martin said. “We hit the ball very well [on Wednesday].”

As a team, the Huskies are hitting .268 while the pitchers are holding opponents to a .257 clip.

Paige Shemoski is top on the team with 26 runs batted in and five home runs. Lisa Mattke leads the team with a .318 average, 35 hits and 26 runs.

“Every game that we play is important,” Martin said. “I hope to at least take two of three from Bowling Green. After that, we have Akron; we are in control with what happens.”