If the NIU baseball team wants to make a return visit to the Mid-American Conference tournament, this is the weekend to turn the season around.

The Huskies enter this weekend’s four-game series against Central Michigan with a 1-10 conference record, 18-18 overall. The Huskies are down to their last two conference series of the season, and are currently in last place of the MAC West Division.

Central Michigan is currently on a five-game winning streak, including non-conference victories over Detriot and Hinsdale College.

“Our backs are to the wall,” said coach Dave Schrage. “This is a really big weekend for us. We have some momentum going into this weekend. I thought we played really well at all aspects against Eastern Illinois. I hope that game gets us some momentum. That was a quality win for us.

“If you look at our division, it is the strongest division in the conference. Even look at us. We might be 1-10 in the conference, but we have had some quality wins out of conference.”

The Huskies are coming off an 8-6 Game 2 victory over Eastern Illinois, giving the Panthers their first home loss of the season and snapping their seven-game winning streak.

Schrage hopes the confidence-boost of beating the Panthers will carry over to the Central Michigan (23-12 overall, 8-4 MAC West) series. Schrage said the Chippewas are a strong hitting club, but because of the competition the Huskies have faced, it could work to their advantage if they work on strong pitching.

Senior Brad Gavelek is starting for Friday’s game, while Don Rodman and Zach Minor go Saturday. Stephen Ayers goes to the mound Sunday.

“We are prepared,” Schrage said. “We have seen some strong hitting clubs. We just need some good performances on the mound. I hope the kids can get into the mindset of being ready. But I know these kids aren’t going to quit.”