Franklin, MA- The Dean College softball team came up short in both games versus Massachusetts Maritime Academy, falling by scores of 7-4 and 11-7. Dean now moves to 4-6 (0-0) on the season, while the Bucs move to 12-4 (0-0).

Game One: Mass. Maritime 7, Dean College 4
The Bulldogs came out strong in the first inning, tying the game 2-2 thanks to a two-RBI single by Ari Amaral (Attleboro, MA), scoring Sydnee Ramos (New Beford, MA) and Xandra Silva (New Britain, CT). A late sixth-inning RBI double by Silva that brought in Alyssa Ribarovski (Sydney, Austrailia) would once again tie the game at 3-3. However, the Bulldogs couldn't overcome a strong late-game performance by the Bucs.

Massachusetts Maritime capitalized on a three-run seventh inning, highlighted by a tripled RBI from Rubi Butler and a two-run homer from Ab'c'de Patane, taking a commanding 7-3 lead. Dean attempted a comeback in the bottom of the seventh with a run from Leah Chamberlain (Burlington, VT), but the Bulldogs were ultimately unable to push further across home plate. Despite strong efforts from pitcher Bryce DeGasparre (Attleboro, MA), who took the loss, and key offensive contributions from Amaral and Silva, Dean fell short as Maritime's defense and timely hitting sealed the win.

Game Two: Mass. Maritime 11, Dean College 7 (Six Innings)
In game two, Dean started the game fast, with a four-run first inning that included key contributions from Amaral, Chamberlain, Ramos, and X. Silva. This gave the Bulldogs a 4-2 lead to open the game. In the second inning, Silva added another run with a sacrifice fly that brought in Ramos, extending the lead to 5-2.

However, Massachusetts Maritime responded in the third, scoring five runs, including a two-RBI single and sacrifice flyout. The game was tied 5-5, and in the following innings, the Bucs continued to capitalize on key hits, including a double by Holler in the fifth. However, it was their three-run rally in the sixth inning that would seal the deal. Dean was ahead in the bottom half of the fifth, looking to end the game before dusk. However, Maritime jumped to the occassion and pulled through. They won the game in six innings by a final score of 11-7.

Ramos was the highlight for Dean in game two. She junior secured a three-hit performance, officially breaking the school's softball record for career hits (95). 

Softball returns to Longley Athletic Complex this Saturday, hosting Lasell University in their Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opening series. The games will begin at 12 and 2PM, respectively.