PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The top-seeded Johnson & Wales (RI) University softball team was upended by No. 2 Albertus Magnus 8-4 Thursday afternoon in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) playoffs at the Scotts Miracle-Gro Athletic Complex.

Graduate student Megan Antaya and sophomore Mackenzie Clee each had two hits for the Wildcats (29-12), who must now play their way out of the loser's bracket to advance to the championship on Sunday. Their quest for a second-straight GNAC Championship continues on Saturday morning with a 10 a.m. contest with Emmanuel (MA).

Antaya, graduate student Jill Pulek, and juniors Hailey Erickson and Julia Huzi all drove in runs for JWU, which trailed 8-1 after five-and-a-half innings. Sophomore starting pitcher Katie Scheid was tagged for five hits and four runs in 2.1 innings of work to fall to 14-4 on the season. Graduate student Livia Feole came on in relief and surrendered seven hits and four runs (three earned) with three walks and a pair of strikeouts in 3.1 innings.

Graduate student Ivy Geloso went 3-for-4 with three RBI for the Falcons (24-18), highlighted by a two-run single in the third. Senior Janelle Franklin added three hits in support of sophomore Skylar Arent, who allowed eight hits and four runs over seven innings to move to 5-4 on the season. The win was her second of the season over the Wildcats.