Late Rally Gives Massasoit Softball Split At Dean College

FRANKLIN, Mass. ---- Looking at being swept in a doubleheader, the Massasoit Community College softball team rallied for two runs in the top of the seventh and added two more in the eighth to defeat Dean College 4-2 in game two on Tuesday. The Warriors dropped game one, 4-3.

"It was a total team effort today," head coach Sandy Lombardi said. "We played great defense in both games and really pulled through in the come-from-behind victory in game two. We were able to score two runs in the eighth and held on for the victory."

With the split, Massasoit improved to 2-4 on the season. Dean College now sits at 6-4.

Game 1: Dean College 4, Massasoit 3
An early lead slipped away, as Dean College claimed game one 4-3.

Massasoit jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the third on a two-run, two-out single off the bat of Felicia Pezzano (Brockton) that plated Tess Stapleton (Brockton) and Marrissa Spivey (Brockton).

After Dean knotted the score at 2-2 in the last of the fourth, the Warriors retook the lead in the top of the fifth on a Spivey RBI double to bring home Ashlee Pitts (Rockland).

Unfortunately, the Bulldogs responded quickly, scoring twice in the last of fifth and eventually held on for the one-run win.

Pezzano finished 2-for-4 with two RBI, while Spivey knocked in the third run.

In the circle, Taylor Richards (Walpole) pitched well enough to win. The righty went six innings, giving up four runs (two earned) off eight hits. She totaled seven strikeouts and did not walk a batter.

Game 2: Massasoit 4, Dean College 2 (8 Innings)
Massasoit trailed 2-0 entering its final at bat, but rallied to score twice in the seventh and two more times in the eighth for the 4-2 victory.

Trailing 2-0 in the top of the seventh, the Warrior strung together five consecutive hits from the 5-through-9 hitters in the lineup, all singles, to tie up the score 2-2.

Richards held the home Bulldogs scoreless in the last of the seventh, giving Massasoit a chance in extras. In the eighth frame, Spivey and Pezzano both scored off a Richards RBI single and a Bulldog error.

Dean was held off the scoreboard in the bottom of the eighth as the Warriors earned the doubleheader split.

Richards, again, put together a strong outing in the circle. The righty went all eight innings and allowed two earned runs while scattering seven hits. She totaled five strikeouts and did not issue a walk.

At the plate, Richards helped her cause going 2-for-4 with one RBI.

The Warriors return to the diamond on Saturday, with a road twinbill at Northern Essex slated to start at Noon.