Franklin, MA- The go-ahead home run from Nick Amendolara (Bayville, NY) powered the Dean College baseball team to a 5-4 victory over Fitchburg State University Wednesday afternoon. With the win, Dean now moves to 12-27 (6-10) with just one more game to play.

Fitchburg jumped on the board in the top of the first inning, scoring on a sacrifice flyout. However, the Bulldogs responded two innings later, going on a three-run rally. Joey Bossinas (Ossining, NY) recorded an RBI single, allowing Rylan Secovich (Southwick, MA) to score. Shortly after, Luke Fahey (Glastonbury, CT) launched a deep RBI double, scoring Bossinas from first. The final run of the rally came from an RBI from Owen Critchley (Dayton, ME). After three innings, the Bulldogs led 3-1.

In the top of the sixth, the Falcons tied up the game. Multiple runners reached base on relief pitcher Jayden Villalta (Pompton Lakes, NJ), forcing a jam. With two outs, Critchley made a costly error at third, allowing both runners to score. However, on the same play, Secovich made a laser throw back to third base, allowing Tyler Giambra (Prospect, CT) to place the tag and get out of the pickle. 

Fitchburg would add another run in the top of the seventh, bringing home a runner on an RBI single. However, it would be Amendolara ultimately snatching the lead back for the Bulldogs. On a loaded count, Amendolara launched a ball over the left-center field fence, scoring two runs and giving Dean the 5-4 advantage. 

The Bulldogs would slam the door on the Falcons' offense in the ninth frame, with Kiefer Culligan (South Windsor, CT) striking out multiple batters to earn the save. JR Salvadore (Barre, MA) picked up his first win of the season after one inning of relief. With the ninth inning slam, the Bulldogs took home the win by a final score of 5-4.

Offensively, three different players had two-hit performances. Those include Giambra, Secovich, and Jadon Murakami (Aiea, HI). Five other players recorded one hit each for Dean. Secovich also recorded one stolen base, officially reaching 30 stolen bases on the season and moving into the top-15 nationally at the NCAA Division III level. 

The Bulldogs will go on the road tomorrow afternoon in their final game of the season, playing Curry College at 3:30PM.