After going 0-2 and having three games canceled in the last 10 days, the NIU softball team looks to get in a groove.

They hope that back-to-back away doubleheaders against Toledo (5-17, 2-7 MAC) at 1 p.m. Saturday and Eastern Michigan (3-22, 1-7 MAC) at 1 p.m. Sunday will help get them into this groove they are looking for.

“By this time of the year, we are usually in a pretty good rhythm,” NIU coach Donna Martin said. “We usually are able to get some of our bench players some more at-bats, but we haven’t been able to do that so far this season.”

The Huskies (14-11, 4-1 MAC) lost their last time out against Western Illinois 2-1. The team had three hits, but Martin said they could not “get the big hit” when they needed one.

To help the problem with hitting this weekend, Kathy Dearborn, Lisa Mattke and Kelly Redican all look to improve on their above .300 batting averages with more hits.

The Huskies are in second place in the MAC West behind Central Michigan. They have a good chance to improve that record to 8-1 against two of the league’s worst conference opponents. Toledo has the least amount of conference wins, and EMU is the third worst with five wins.

Martin said she will start senior Amy Krahula and sophomore Dearborn, but she also said that freshman Paige Granath has pitched well and should also see some innings.

“We are looking to continue winning in conference and having the same expectations as we always have,” Martin said. “This weekend might not be easy, but I think that we will be alright.”