Two of the best players in the Mid-American Conference will square off this weekend.

Senior Courtney Witvliet, named MAC West Division Pitcher of the Week, and the NIU softball team head to Ypsilanit, Mich., to take on Christie Koester, MAC West Division Player of the Week, and Eastern Michigan.

The Huskies and the Eagles will play three games, with a single contest Friday and a double-header Saturday.

Witvliet pitched two complete games with a 0.50 ERA and 17 strikeouts against the Universtiy of Buffalo, while Koester posted a .571 batting average that included 10 consecutive hits against Western Michigan University.

The Huskies come into this weekend’s action following a split with Illinois State University on Wednesday.

NIU (13-24 overall, 7-6 MAC) rested Witvliet so she could be fresh for the Eagles (12-24 overall, 5-8 MAC).

“I want to put a little distance between us, because they are right behind us in the standings,” NIU softball coach Donna Martin said. “Going in there and sweeping them would be great.”

The Huskies have the tough task of playing Eastern Michigan on the road. The Eagles hold a 5-3 record at home, including two wins over MAC rival Western Michigan.

“It is always tough playing on the road, but I am pretty confident about our chances,” Martin said.