NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Norwich University softball team picked up a crucial sweep vs. defending league runner-up Albertus Magnus College on Saturday afternoon at the NU Softball Field in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action.

Norwich (8-12, 8-2 GNAC) battled to a 4-3 win in nine innings in Game 1 and then staved off a late Albertus Magnus' rally in the nightcap to take a 7-5 win and secure the sweep.

The Cadets extended their winning streak to three straight games and they have now won eight of their last 10 games to keep hold of second place in the GNAC standings.

Despite getting outhit 11-6 in the opening game, Norwich was able to outlast Albertus Magnus scoring a run in the bottom of the ninth after shutting down the Falcons in the top half of the inning with the international tie-breaker rule in effect.

Freshman Emily Oliver (Sagamore Hills, Ohio) laced a double to the fence that easily scored freshman Kayleigh O'Rourke (Lyndhurst, N.J.) from second base to lift the Cadets to the victory.

Oliver also picked up the win on the mound, outdueling Albertus Magnus' ace Megan Ferraro to pick up her fourth victory of the season. Oliver went all nine innings, surrendering two earned runs on 11 hits while walking none and striking out two.

Norwich took the lead from the outset in Game 1 with senior Taylor Morris (Haverhill, N.H.) plating Sarah Perry (New Bedford, Mass.) with a RBI single in the bottom of the first. The Cadets added to their lead in the bottom of the third inning with Kassy Kazimierczak (Adams, Mass.) singling through the left side of the infield to score Perry again to make it 2-0 Norwich.

Albertus Magnus (14-8, 5-5 GNAC) cut into the Norwich lead in the top of the fifth inning with Megan Kelly reaching on a fielder's choice allowing Alyssa Puccilli from third base to cut the lead to 2-1.

The Falcons knotted the game up at 2-2 in the top of the sixth with Amanda Jessey singling to right field and then advancing two bases on an error. Brianna Whitfield scored Jessey with a sacrifice fly to center field that Jessey just beat the throw from Payton Warner (Harwich, Mass.) home on.

In the top of the eighth, Albertus scored Whitfield from third base with a two-out RBI single by Puccilli to give the Falcons their first lead at 3-2. Norwich countered in the bottom half of the inning, capitalizing on two Falcons' errors. Angie Hershberger (Felton, Calif.) scored after Madison Miller (Long Lake, N.Y.) reached an error by the second baseman.

Norwich shut the door in the top half of the ninth inning leaving Oliver to her walk off double heroics to clinch the victory.

In Game 2, the Cadets used a big five-run fourth inning to break a 1-0 lead wide open on Albertus Magnus. They then held on in the top of the seventh after the Falcons scored five runs and had the tying run up at the plate. However, freshman pitcher Rachel Johnson (Stockbridge, Vt.) shut the door, striking out pinch hitter Daysia Wehder with a rise ball to seal the sweep.

Mallori Cesario (Bradenton, Fla.) led the Norwich offense with two hits and two RBIs. Hershberger and Warner also notched two hits apiece for the Cadets.

Norwich piled up 10 hits in the nightcap to Albertus Magnus' seven. Johnson went the distance to earn her fourth victory of the season. She struck out six and walked four while giving up two earned runs.

Puccilli and Rachel Cataudella led Albertus Magnus with two RBIs each as they led the Falcons' comeback bid in the top of the seventh inning.

Norwich improved to 4-0 on the season at home and will have another stern test Sunday at 1 and 3 p.m. when the Cadets host the defending GNAC champion Johnson & Wales Wildcats in another pivotal showdown for conference playoff positioning.

Norwich sits second in the GNAC standings behind only Univ. of St. Joseph (Conn.) who is undefeated at 10-0. Suffolk is in third at 6-2, while Saint Joseph's (Maine) is 8-4 and Johnson & Wales is 5-3.

The Cadets also host Suffolk on Tuesday at 3 and 5 p.m. for two more GNAC games.