North Myrtle Beach, SC- The Dean College softball team split their pair of games today in the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic. The team defeated Brevard in extra innings by a final score of 5-4, but were defeated by FDU-Florham 8-0. With today's results, the Bulldogs advance to 2-3 (0-0) to begin their season.

Game One: FDU-Florham 8, Dean College 0
In the first game of the day, the Bulldogs were quickly outnumbered by the Devils' offense. The highlight of the game was junior Sydnee Ramos (New Beford, MA). The utility player went 3-3 at the dish, contributing to half of Dean's total hits. Center fielder Xandra Silva (New Britain, CT) also had a two-hit performance, while Alyssa Ribarovski (Sydney, Austrailia) produced one hit. Dean's struggles came in the field, committing two fielding errors and allowing multiple runs. 

Natalie Hayes (Brewster, NY) took the loss for the Bulldogs. The first-year pitcher tossed four total innings, allowing eight hits, seven total runs (six earned), one walk and two strikeouts. Jessica Stewart (Banks, OR) finished the game, throwing one inning with one earned run. Hayes now drops to 1-1 on the season while Stewart completed her ninth total inning of work. 

Game Two: Dean College 5, Brevard College 4
In an extra-inning thriller, the Bulldogs rallied late with a strong offensive showing in the 6th and 8th innings. After trailing 2-1 in the 6th, the Bulldogs tied the game with a key double from Ashley Lester (Blackstone, MA), followed by a single from Ribarovski  that brought in the go-ahead run. During the seventh, Brevard managed to tie the game, securing an RBI single and taking the game to a decisive eighth inning. However, the Bulldogs took the lead and the game in the 8th. Dean seized control with a series of clutch hits, including a go-ahead single from Lester and a sacrifice fly from Xandra Silva. Dean finished the day with ten total hits on offense.

Jess Stewart secured the complete-game win on the mound. The senior captain threw all eight innings, allowing eleven hits, just two earned runs, one walk, and an impressive six strikeouts. Stewart now leads the Bulldogs in innings pitched (17.0) and strikeouts (nine).

Dean will compete in their final games of the tournament tomorrow versus Franciscan University (9:00AM) and Sweet Briar College (3:00PM). They play their first double-header at Longley Athletic Complex on Wednesday, March 19th, versus Fitchburg state University.