New London, Conn. – The Albertus Magnus College softball team swept a twinbill versus in-state rival Coast Guard on Thursday afternoon in non-conference action at Nitchman Field. The Falcons received strong pitching performances in both contests, taking the opener, 2-1, and the finale, 3-0.

With the two victories the Falcons ran their winning streak to five games and improved to 8-2 on the year, while the Bears dropped 5-9 overall.

In the opener, freshman Kristen Cunning (Hoboken, N.J.) and sophomore Samantha Maselli (Rockville Centre, N.Y.) held Coast Guard to just five hits and one run in the win. Cunning tossed the first four and a third innings, surrendering a run to earn her third career victory, while Maselli didn't allow a hit over the final two and two thirds innings to register her first save of the spring.

Albertus Magnus got off to a quick start as sophomore shortstop Brianna Whitfield (West Islip, N.Y.) hita lead-off homerun to center field. The Falcons added an insurance run in the top of the fifth courtesy of an RBI fielder's choice by Rachel Cataudella (Shelton, Conn.).

Coast Guard got on the board in the home half of the fifth thanks to a solo homer from Hayden Short.

Sophomore Megan Ferraro (Branford, Conn.) tossed a complete shutout in game two for the Falcons. The shutout was her second of the spring as she scattered four hits and struck out one batter. Ferraro hammered the strike zone all afternoon and did not surrender a walk.

Offensively, sophomore Melissa Castillo (Taftville, Conn.) accounted for two of the Falcons' four hits. AMC pushed across a run in the fourth thanks to an RBI groundout from junior Julia Toth (College Point, N.Y.). Albertus Magnus added another run in the fifth courtesy of an RBI groundout from sophomore Gillian Fortier (Naugatuck, Conn.). The final Falcon run of the day came in the top of the seventh as senior Alyssa Puccilli (Milford, Conn.) smacked an RBI double to center.

Albertus Magnus returns to action on Monday, March 28, with a home non-conference doubleheader against Mount St. Vincent that gets underway at 3:00 pm.

For the latest information on the softball team and Albertus Magnus athletics, follow AMCAthletics on Twitter and visit AlbertusFalcons.com.