With three games left in the regular season, all the Walpole High softball team needed was one win in order to make the State tournament. On May 17, they got the job done, beating rival Framingham to earn their second straight tournament birth.

The Rebels were ready to beat Framingham from the beginning, where they scored two runs in the first inning. With junior Kellie Duffy on third and senior Michaela Cosby on second, junior Stephanie Frye hit a double, bringing both girls home. However, in the bottom half of the first, the girls let up one run, heading into the second with a score of 2-1.

In the top of the second, the Rebels got off to a slow start, with two quick outs. They quickly redeemed themselves with a double hit by sophomore Hannah Feeley. After bringing in freshman Jules Mastromatteo to pinch run, junior Gabby DeFalco hit a single to right field, bringing in Mastromatteo. A walk, two steals, and two singles by Framingham caused the Rebels to let up two runs to the Flyers when they came up. Being up by one, the Rebels went into the bottom of the second with high hopes; however they were brought down when Framingham scored another run to tie the game.

Walpole started the third off well. After an out, the Rebels got a single from Steph Frye, who followed the hit up by stealling second. After another out, senior Lauren O’Shea hit it to the pitcher, who then threw the ball wild, advancing O’Shea to second and allowing Fry to come home. After Framingham got out of the inning, they earned one run back as a single brought in a runner from third.

Walpole entered the fourth inning down by one and ready to turn it around. With runners on second and third, senior Alyssa Brown hit a double to center field, bringing in two runs. After Brown was brought in, Walpole was determined to not let Framingham catch up to them again. Though they let up one run, the Rebels were still leading by one heading into the fifth.

After an uneventful fifth,the sixth inning began with Brown at bat, hitting a slow roller to short for a single.  Brown came home after advancing on two singles, and by the end of the inning, the Rebels had gained a three run advantage.  

Framingham started the bottom of the sixth inning down by three and began to rally with a triple to right field and a single to third. A grounder to first then brought in two runs, cutting the lead to one. Framingham had high hopes of coming back until Walpole made a double a play to end the inning.

Tension was even higher as the seventh inning began, Walpole leading 9-8.  A quick three outs put Walpole out in the field, where they would have to hold the lead. With a lead off walk the Walpole fans stood silent. A groundout to second followed by a pop out to right field got the Walpole crowd on their feet, as they only needed one out.  Finally, a catch made by junior Michaela Nee ended the game, sending Walpole into the playoffs. 

Finally earning that eighth win of the season seals the deal for the Rebels, as they look forward to the announcement of who they will play coming up this week.  One thing for sure is that the Rebels will come out fighting, like they did versus Framingham, trying to advance through the tournament like they did last year.