Franklin, MA- The Dean College softball team returns to .500 on the year thanks to the walk-off heroics of junior Liana Silva (New Britain CT). Dean took game one against Fitchburg State University by a final score of 10-9, with game two being postponed due to darkness. Game two will continue on a date to be determined, with the Falcons leading Dean 11-1 after four innings of action.

The Bulldogs got off to a rocky start in the top of the first inning. Starter Bryce DeGasparre (Attleboro, MA) gave multiple early hits to the Falcons, allowing them to take a quick 2-0 lead. The Bulldogs failed to convert in the bottom half of the inning, with the first three batters going down in order. However, after Fitchburg scored again in the top of the third, the Bulldogs viciously responded. Emily Kilpatrick (Marian, MA) opened the frame with a single, followed by a walk from Sydnee Ramos (New Bedford, MA). Natalie Hayes (Brewster, NY) also singled. With the bases loaded and zero outs, Leah Chamberlain (Burlington, VT) brought home Dean's first run with an RBI single. Silva would then have a sacrifice flyout to the outfield, allowing Ramos to score. Dean tied the game with an RBI single from Alyssa Ribarovski (Sydney, Austrailia). After three full innings, the game stood at 3-3.

Fitchburg would take the lead again in the forth with additional hits and a costly error in the infield. However, Dean quickly tied the game again. After making an error, Katie Splaine (Tyngsborough, MA) redeemed herself with a bases-clearing double. The game was now 6-6 after four innings. 

The Falcons scored again in the top half of the sixth, taking the lead 7-6. The Bulldogs mightily answered this call. After a double by Chamberlain, Hayes scored on a pass ball to tie the game at 7. Splaine struck again shortly after, driving home the go-ahead run from an RBI single. Dean led 8-7 going into the final inning of play. 

Just as the game looked complete with two outs, Fitchburg revived themselves and took the lead. A single and double would be enough to push them ahead, leading 9-8 going into the bottom half.

However, just as the story had played during the entire game, Dean stood their ground when it matted most. Ramos singled to begin the frame, followed by a double from Hayes. Chamberlain also reached on a fielder's choice, loading the bases with zero outs. Then, with one swing of the bat, Silva launched the walk-off double into left field, scoring the two winning runs. Dean walked away victorious by a final score of 10-9. 

Splaine led Dean's efforts on offense, going 2-3 with four total RBIs. Hayes, Chamberlain, Splaine, and Kilpatrick all recorded two hits in the contest. Silva finished the day 1-2 with three RBIs and a run. DeGasparre secured another complete-game win, moving her record to 3-1 on the season.

The Falcons led Dean 11-1 after four innings of action in game two. However, the game has been postponed due to darkness. Game two will be resumed at a later date. 

Dean's next game will be Tuesday, March 25th, as the team prepares to host Massachusetts Maritime Academy for a 3&5PM double-header.