NIU head softball coach Dee Abrahamson is looking forward to an eventful weekend of North Star Conference action.

The NIU softball team will hope to find better weather conditions on the road when they visit Valparaiso in a Friday 2 p.m. doubleheader and Wright State for a Saturday 12 p.m. doubleheader.

The Huskies (20-19-1, 3-1) will hope to continue the same success in conference play that it had last weekend when NIU split a doubleheader with Akron and swept a twinbill from Cleveland State.

“It’s a conference weekend and that really means a lot,” Abrahamson said. “Both teams we play are capable teams. It’ll be good for us to play in Dayton, (Ohio, home to Wright State) because that’s where the conference tournament will be.

“Being in Dayton will allow us to get familiar with the field and hopefully help us (in the tournament).”

NIU will embark on this weekend’s road trip led by senior shortstop Lori Reimer. Reimer, who has had an outstanding season thus far, has really turned her play up a notch in the past week.

Reimer’s efforts have not gone unnoticed by Abrahamson, who sees Reimer as a good influence on the younger Huskies.

“She really anticipates well on the field,” Abrahamson said. “It certainly helps the younger players when they see her play.

“Hopefully, Lori’s play will rub off on them and they’ll think ‘I want to play like that’ when they’re out there playing.”