Coming off an impressive come-from-behind win against Miami of Ohio, the NIU softball team faces Toledo in its first Mid-American Conference road games.

The Huskies (7-17 overall, 2-2 in the MAC) will play three games against the Rockets in 48 hours, with the first game scheduled at 3 p.m. and a doubleheader planned for Friday.

“Toledo has a first-year coach, and they graduated one of their starting pitchers last season, but road games are always difficult,” NIU softball coach Donna Martin said.

The Huskies have been quiet at the plate in recent games, but gained some confidence after scoring two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to defeat Miami on Tuesday.

“I think hitting is probably one of the most difficult things in sports,” Martin said. “Each time you step to the plate, things change, whether it be a new pitcher or the weather.”

While hits have been hard to come by, the Huskies’ pitching has kept them in the games. Senior Courtney Witvliet is scheduled to start today’s contest following an impressive outing against Miami in which she threw a no-hit seventh inning.

Freshman Amy Kruhula is scheduled for the first game Saturday. The pitcher for the second game will be determined at game time.

“I am really happy with the pitching staff,” Martin said. “They have really settled down the last couple of weeks.”