The Hopedale Blue Raiders baseball team’s softball squad earned a hard-fought 2-1 win over Hoosac Valley in the quarterfinals to advance to the semifinals. The game remained scoreless through the early innings until Hoosac Valley broke through with a lone run. Hopedale’s ace Emily Atwood allowed just that single run over seven innings, fanning ten batters and surrendering four hits, showcasing remarkable composure and stamina. At the plate, that same standout delivered offensively with a key run-producing double that ignited Hopedale’s rally. The Blue Raiders combined timely hitting, aggressive baserunning, and solid defense to overturn the deficit and secure the victory by a narrow margin. Their balanced performance under pressure highlighted the team’s depth and resilience in a win-or-go-home scenario. With this quarterfinal triumph, Hopedale now advances to face Greenfield in the semifinals on Thursday at 6 PM at Westfield State University. Greenfield enters as the No. 2 seed, making the upcoming matchup a battle between two evenly matched teams vying for a spot in the championship. Hopedale’s ability to execute in late-game situations, led by their aces’ dual contributions on the mound and at the plate, will be crucial as they aim to extend their postseason run.
