Franklin, MA- The Dean College softball team left Saturday's series with Lasell University without a win. The Bulldogs dropped game one by a score of 13-3 and game two by a score of 4-2. The losses put Dean at 4-8 (0-2) on the season, while Lasell moves to 3-11 (2-0).
Game One: Lasell University 13, Dean College 3
The Bulldogs found themselves down early in the opening game of the series. Lasell quickly gained control, scoring twice in the first inning, including an unearned run on an error. Dean struggled offensively in the early innings, as they were held scoreless through the first three. Meanwhile, Lasell continued to build its lead, adding three more runs in the second inning. The Bulldogs finally found some life in the fourth, scoring two runs off errors, with
Sydnee Ramos (New Bedford, MA) and
Katie Splaine (Tyngsborough, MA) crossing the plate to bring the score to 6-2.
However, Lasell responded decisively in the fifth inning with a seven-run explosion, including multiple unearned runs and a two-RBI double by Emily Rondeau. Dean added a final run in the bottom of the fifth, but it wasn't enough to mount a comeback, as they fell 13-3. Despite the loss, Dean's pitching staff, led by Bryce DeGasparre (Attleboro, MA), worked through the challenges and kept the game manageable in the middle innings. The Bulldogs were limited to just three hits and struggled with timely offense, while Lasell capitalized on mistakes and found success at the plate throughout the game.
Game Two: Lasell University 4, Dean College 2
Similar to game one, Dean found themselves down early, giving up a quick 1-0 lead. However, even with no runs in five innings of action, the Bulldogs managed to keep Lasell at-bay with strong pitching from first-year
Madison Nereu (Wareham, MA). In the sixth inning, Dean made their move.
Maddy Barrette (Hope Valley, RI) scored on an error, followed by
Katrina Lee (Brookline, NH) driving in
Ari Amaral (Attleboro, MA) with an RBI single to tie the game at 2-2.
Lasell regained the lead in the seventh inning, 4-2, with a two-RBI single. Despite a solid effort from the Bulldogs, they couldn't manage to get another run across in the final inning. Dean finished with seven hits but was unable to break through Lasell's defense and pitching, including a key save from Abigail Fortin. Nereu ended the day with the loss, tossing all seven innings, allowing four earned runs on three walks and a strikeout.
The Bulldogs return to action tomorrow afternoon, as the team travels to Johnson & Wales University for another Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) double-header.
