NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Norwich University softball team stretched its season-high winning streak to six straight with a sweep of Lasell College on Sunday afternoon to secure a home playoff game for the GNAC Tournament. 

Norwich (14-19-1, 12-10 GNAC) earned the No. 6 seed for the GNAC playoffs and will host No. 7 Emmanuel on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. on the NU Softball Field. The Cadets faced Emmanuel in the GNAC Tournament Second Round last season and fell 5-0 to the Saints. 

The Cadets squeaked out a 3-2 win in Game 1, then won 9-3 in Game 2 to secure the sweep over the Lasers. Sophomore catcher Madison Miller (Long Lake, N.Y.) went 3-for-3 with a RBI in the first game to lead the offense. Laurie Urie (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) also had a RBI for the Cadets as well. Olivia Bussiere (Northfield, Vt.) and Sarah Perry (New Bedford, Mass.) each had a hit and run. 

Rachel Johnson (Stockbridge, Vt.) picked up the win after going three innings and striking out two and walking one to improve to 9-7 on the year. Emily Oliver (Sagamore Hills, Ohio) came on in relief to throw four innings, giving up two runs on four hits and struck out three. 

In Game 2, the offense came alive with Naomi Rinaldo (Middlefield, Conn.) leading the way with three hits, including two doubles for five RBIs. Justina George (Wallingford, Conn.) continued to swing a hot bat going 4-for-5 with three runs scored. Perry and Miller each had three hits, while Miller added two RBIs. Katie Reid (Gold Canyon, Ariz.) added two more hits and two runs scored to round out the Norwich offensive leaders in the second game.

Oliver fired a complete game six-hitter and gave up three earned runs to pick up her fifth win of the season in the circle. She struck out three and walked two. Norwich pounded out a season-high 18 hits in the win in Game 2. 

Norwich and Emmanuel split the season series this year. After setting a new program record with an eight-game win streak, Emmanuel has lost eight of its last nine games to close the season.