Hopkinton Softball Falls in D-2 Championship Game

The Hopkinton High softball team fell to Burlington  2-0 to in the Division 2 Eastern Massachusetts title game on Tuesday night at Martin Field in Lowell.

Burlington pitcher and team captain Courtney Lanfranchi tossed a complete game allowing just three Hillers hits.

Hopkinton batted first. With Lafranchi looking strong, the first inning ended when the Hillers' Jillian Mazure caught trying to steal second to get into scoring position.

Hopkinton ace Michelle Cooprider then struck out the Burlington side in order.

Hillers rightfielder Nicole Mellor singled with one out in the top of the second but was left stranded as Lanfranchi got the next two batters.

In the bottom of the third, Burlington's April Adams got the first Red Devil hit when she reached first on a bunt. Christina Raso followed with a single to put runners on first and second but Cooprider got a fly-out to get out of the jam.

Lanfranchi got the next eight batters before Melloragain  singled to lead off the fifth. Paige Phelan followed with a hard hit ball to shortstop that put runners on first and second. But Lanfranchi got two pop-ups and a ground out to strand the runners. 

In the bottom of the fifth, Burlington's Amber Eisenhauer reached on a bunt, stole second and beat the throw home on a two-out Raso single. Raso went to second on the throw and Burlington captain Stacey Bezreh followed with a single up the middle to score Raso. Cooprider got out of the inning with a fly out.

Lanfranchi retired the side in order in the top of the sixth and got two groundouts to begin the seventh before Phelan reached on an error. But Lanfranchi got a fly out to centerfield to end the game, ending a great season for the Hillers. 

Burlington will play for the Division 2 state championship Saturday at Worcester State College against the winner of a game between Leicester and the Western Mass. champ on Thursday.