FRANKLIN, Mass. – First-year Nina Ostafin (West Hartford, Conn.) grabbed her first collegiate home run in-style yesterday afternoon. The catcher recorded a walk-off grand slam, giving softball a 13-9 victory over the University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) in game two of their Sunday doubleheader.
The Bulldogs ultimately split the series with the Blue Jays, improving to 6-10 overall (3-1 GNAC). Meanwhile, the Blue Jays suffered their first conference loss of the year (10-8 / 5-1 GNAC).
 
GAME ONE: University of Saint Joseph 7, Dean College 2
-USJ (Conn.) struck first in the opening inning, using a timely RBI single to take an early 1–0 lead.
-Dean responded in the third inning Leah Chamberlain (Burlington, Vt.) delivered an RBI double and later came around to score on a single by Ostafin, giving the Bulldogs a 2–1 advantage.
-The Blue Jays answered in the fourth inning, capitalizing on a three-run home run to quickly swing momentum back in their favor and take a 4–2 lead.
-Dean continued to compete at the plate, with Emily Kilpatrick (Marion, Mass.) and Ashlee Mastrodomenico (Middleboro, Mass.) helping generate baserunners. However, the Bulldogs were unable to break through in key moments.
-The Blue Jays added to its lead in the fifth inning with another run off a string of hits, extending the margin to 5–2.
-The Bulldogs looked to rally late, but the Blue Jays' pitching staff limited opportunities and kept Dean off the scoreboard down the stretch.
-USJ added insurance in the seventh inning, securing the 7–2 final victory.
 
GAME TWO: Dean College 13, University of Saint Joseph 9
-The Blue Jays struck first in the opening inning. Kaitlyn Ouellette secured the team's second three-run home run of the series, making it 3-0 early.
-However, this was met by a massive response from the Bulldogs' offense. Over the next three innings, they scored seven unanswered runs off eight total hits.
-Xandra Silva (New Britain, Conn.) kicked off the scoring with a two-RBI double. Mastrodomenico brought in an RBI of her own, tying the game at three. Liana Silva (New Britain, Conn.) also provided an RBI single. At the end of the third, it was 5-3 Dean.
-Dean continued their run in the fourth, scoring two runs from RBIs by Ostafin and Sydnee Ramos (New Bedford, Mass). They now led by four going into the fifth.
-However, the Blue Jays boasted back with five unanswered runs. This included another home run, this time by Kayla Phelps. By the top of the sixth, they had retaken the lead by a score of 8-7.
-Despite trailing once again, it didn't take Dean long to respond again. Ostafin stepped back into the plate and delivered another timely RBI, this time scoring Emily Kilpatrick (Marion, Mass.). The game was once again tied, 8-8, going into the final inning.
-USJ came back around to score in the top half of the seventh. Marichal scored on a sacrifice groundout, making it 9-8 Blue Jays. Degasparre, who entered in relief in the seventh, eventually closed the door and kept USJ to just one run.
-Down by one in the final frame, the Bulldogs needed an answer at the plate. Kilpatrick delivered such, recorded an RBI single to bring home Katrina Lee (Brookline, N.H.). It was now tied 9-9 with runners on first and second.
-Ramos loaded the bases on a 3-2 count, sending Ostafin to the plate. Then, on the first pitch of the at-bat, the rookie launched her first collegiate home run over the left field fence. The grand slam sent the Bulldogs home winners by a final score of 13-9.
 
Game Two Standouts:
-Ostafin (3-5, 2 Runs Scored, 6 RBIs, Walk-off Grand Slam)
-Kilpatrick (3-4, 2 Runs Scored, RBI, Walk)
-X. Silva (3-5, 2 Runs Scored, 2 RBIs)
 
Next Up:
DOUBLE-HEADER: Wednesday, April 1^st, 3:00PM & 5:00PM vs. Colby-Sawyer College (GNAC Contests / Longley Athletic Complex)
 
For Media Inquiries:
Brett Chaves
Sports Information Director, Dean College Athletics
(508) 541-1826
BChaves@dean.edu