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Softball continues road trip in Ohio

April 19, 2012
Nicole Gremillion

Nicole Gremillion

The Northern Illinois University softball team continues its five game road trip when the Huskies travel to the state of Ohio to face Ohio and Akron this weekend.

NIU (18-24, 6-6 MAC) opens the weekend with a doubleheader at Ohio (16-23, 5-5) Friday. First pitch is set for noon. and fans can follow all the action live via Gametracker at NIUHuskies.com.

The Huskies then travel to Akron (15-24-1, 1-9) Saturday for a weekend series with the Zips.

“This is an important weekend for us,” said NIU head coach Lindsay Chouinard. “We need to come out ready to attack on Friday.”

The Huskies, who dropped a 6-1 contest to UIC yesterday, look to build on their two-game MAC winning streak after sweeping Kent State last weekend. The Huskies are in second place in the Mid-American Conference West at the halfway point of the MAC softball schedule, four games behind Ball State. NIU, Ohio and Western Michigan are all at .500 in the conference.

The MAC Tournament picture could become a lot clearer with the Bobcats playing host to both the Huskies and Broncos this weekend.

Northern Illinois has played well away from Mary M. Bell Field this season, especially in conference play. NIU is 3-1 in the MAC away from home, sweeping Central Michigan in its last road series in league play. Nicole Gremillion (Missouri City, Texas/Elkins) has been hot for the Huskies in conference games.

Gremillion, who moved from the leadoff spot to the nine hole with great results against Kent State. She leads the team with a .394 batting average, hitting at a .422 clip against conference competition.

Ohio comes into Friday’s action losers of seven of its last eight contests. The Bobcats lost both games of a doubleheader at Ohio State yesterday with their last win coming in the series opener versus Akron.

For more information on NIU softball and Huskie athletics, visit www.niuhuskies.com.