Hard luck and great plays by the opposition has NIU’s softball team on a two-game skid, coach Donna Martin said.

NIU (14-11) will get its shot to get back on track today when it takes on Western Illinois (13-18) at 3:30 p.m. in Macomb.

The Huskies originally were scheduled to play Northwestern, but the Wildcats’ field is in just as bad a shape as Mary Bell Field with the bad weather.

Losing four out of their last five games, the Huskies have had six-straight games canceled because of inclimate weather.

“We need to play a consistent game schedule,” Martin said. “We haven’t been outside for practice in a while.”

The Huskies are batting .267, but have been struggling as of late.

Over its past five games, NIU has posted a .217 batting average. However, opponents are batting .211 against NIU’s combo on the mound: Amy Krahula and Kathy Dearborn.

Martin said tough breaks and a lot of lineouts by Huskie batters have contributed to the slide her squad has been on.

Sporting an 8-3 record with a 1.64 ERA, Krahula will get the call against WIU.

Krahula’s pitching has continued to play a large role in the Huskies’ ability to hold onto second place in the MAC West.

With Krahula on her game, NIU’s batters will try to pull their end of the bargain, beginning with Lisa Mattke.

As the Huskies’ leadoff hitter, Mattke is tied for the MAC lead with 18 walks, providing plenty of chances for the No. 3 and 4 hitters Shelby Bernard and Paige Shemoski to drive in runs.

“It will help if we are more aggressive earlier in the count,” Martin said. “We’re taking too many good pitches.”