The Hopedale Blue Raiders softball team broke out of a slump Wednesday with a thrilling 12–8 victory over Bay Path. From the first inning, both offenses were firing, trading runs on timely hits and aggressive baserunning. Bay Path scratched out early scores, but Hopedale’s lineup stayed in the fight, manufacturing key rallies against Minutemen pitching. Heading into the fourth inning, the game was tight, and neither side let up. Hopedale’s bats finally broke through in the fourth, stringing together clutch base hits and drawing walks to plate three runs. The Raiders’ momentum carried throughout the rest of the game, where they tacked on another seven runs, punctuated by disciplined at-bats and heads-up base running that forced Bay Path to the brink. Sophomore Bella Federico contributed two hits and an RBI, and Olivia Barroso added a double and another run batted in, delivering in the games’ most pivotal moments. After back-to-back one-run losses to Nipmuc and Maynard, this offensive outburst was a welcome relief. Next up, Hopedale travels to Northbridge today at 3:30 PM. The Rams offer a solid matchup, but buoyed by their late-game firepower and strong pitching, the Raiders aim to cap their regular season with consecutive wins and cement a top-five seed in the Division 5 playoffs.
