Led by a 3-for-3 performance from sophomore Melissa Manning (Milford, Conn.), the Albertus Magnus softball team defeated Johnson & Wales (R.I.) 4-1 in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play on Sunday afternoon. With the victory, the Falcons hand JWU its first conference loss of the season.

Prior to this season, the Falcons hadn't defeated the Wildcats since April 7, 2008. During the 2010 and 2011 seasons, the Wildcats outscored the Falcons 76-2 in four games played.

After four and a half shutout innings of play, the Falcons registered three runs on two hits and two JWU errors to take a 3-0 lead. Rebecca Slivinsky (Plainville, Conn.) and Shannon Knox (Hamden, Conn.) both reached base with one out thanks to back-to-back errors by JWU's first baseman. After advancing into scoring position due to a passed ball, an RBI double by Danielle Figueroa (Bridgeport, Conn.) plated both Falcons to give Albertus a 2-0 lead. Elaina Maio (West Haven, Conn.) followed with an RBI double of her own to score Figueroa from second to give the Falcons a 3-0 advantage.

Albertus added its fourth run of the contest in the sixth inning as Manning led off the frame with a double then moved to third on a Leyna Andren (Manahawkin, N.J.) single. Manning later scored on a RBI groundout from Slivinsky.

The Wildcats' lone run came in the seventh on an Alyssa Babineau RBI single but JWU's rally was cut short by the Falcons' defense.

Manning had a solid outing for the Falcons on the mound as she threw six innings of work and allowed just three hits and one earned run. She struck out two batters and walked three. Danielle Thuerling (Wallingford, Conn.) struck out one and forced two groundouts as she retired the side in the fifth.

Figueroa finished the game 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored.