The Hopedale Blue Raiders softball team saw its season end in the Division 5 semifinals at Westfield State University with a 8-0 loss to No. 2 seed Greenfield. Both Hopedale (No. 3 seed) and Greenfield reached this stage by surviving one‐run quarterfinal wins, but in this game, it was all Greenfield. The Green Wave jumped on Hopedale early in the first inning, scoring five runs before the end of the first frame. Their offense continued to swarm at the plate, while Greenfield’s defense and pitching gave up nothing. Hopedale ace Emily Atwood notched her 200th strikeout of the year but was tagged for runs on timely hits and never found traction offensively. On the other end, Hopedale’s only two hits of the game were from Emily Atwood and Kenzie Reynolds. Greenfield, seeking its third title in four years, showcased why it’s the class of the division, combining power, precision, and veteran poise. Though the 7-0 final was lopsided, Hopedale can take pride in back‐to‐back final‐four appearances. With key underclassmen returning, the Blue Raiders have the experience and talent to push even deeper next spring. Lessons learned from this matchup, especially handling relentless pressure, will fuel offseason growth as they chase a championship berth in 2026.
