The Hastings Raiders wrapped up their 2025 softball season with a spirited playoff run, finishing fourth in Section 3AAAA. The regular season came to a close with the Raiders seeded fourth heading into the double-elimination tournament. Despite high hopes and flashes of brilliance, the postseason ended earlier than the team had envisioned. Still, the grit and growth they showed all year provided plenty of positives to build on.

The week began with a tough home matchup against Park of Cottage Grove. Hastings came out strong, especially on the mound with Haley Strain pitching a dominant first inning. She struck out the side to open the game and showed early command. But the Raiders' bats were quiet in the first two innings, managing only a walk from Strain herself.

Park took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second after a triple and a single pushed a run across. Hastings quickly answered in the third inning, stringing together hits from McCoy, Robinson, and Strain to tie the game. An error by Park allowed another run to score, giving Hastings a 2-1 lead.

However, the momentum shifted in the fourth inning. Park responded with a home run and took the lead 3-2. They continued to find success at the plate in the following innings, capitalizing on errors and well-timed hits to stretch their lead. Strain continued to fight on the mound, but the Raiders could not match Park's offensive surge.

By the end of seven innings, Hastings fell 8-4 in a game that highlighted both their competitive fire and the slim margins of playoff play. While the result was disappointing, there was no lack of effort from the girls.

Next up was a bounce-back opportunity against Burnsville, and the Raiders delivered in a big way. From the start, Hastings looked dialed in. Strain again took the mound and pitched with purpose, striking out the side in the first inning. The bats came alive early. Robinson, Strain, Reider, and Watts all contributed to a big first inning that saw Hastings plate four runs thanks to patient at-bats and timely hits.

Coach Becca Sorenson praised the team’s resilience after the win, noting the value of extra practice time provided by weather delays earlier in the week. “It gave us the opportunity to get a lot of extra reps, which we needed,” she said. “Our bats were back alive again today, and that made the difference.”

In the second inning, Hastings stayed aggressive. A hit-by-pitch and two walks set up another scoring opportunity. Meyer and Seleski delivered key hits, pushing the lead to 6-0. The Raiders played clean defense behind Strain, who kept Burnsville scoreless through five innings. Hastings added an insurance run in the third and another in the sixth, cruising to a 7-0 shutout.
“If anyone has a chance, it’s these girls,” Sorenson said. “They are strong together and have great chemistry up and down the lineup. As long as we show up and are the best version of ourselves, we’ll be just fine.”

The performance gave the team confidence heading into their third game of the week, an elimination showdown at East Ridge. Hastings started hot, with Robinson doubling and Strain singling to put pressure on early. McCoy drove in two runs in the second inning to give the Raiders a 2-1 lead. East Ridge tied the game in the third and pulled ahead after a defensive miscue, but Hastings answered with clutch hitting in the sixth.

Strain was again central to the effort, both in the circle and at the plate. She delivered a key RBI single to put Hastings back on top 5-3 late in the game. But East Ridge mounted a comeback in the bottom of the seventh. A double and a pair of singles tied the game before Cassidy drove in the winning run for the Raptors. Final score, 6-5.

Despite the heartbreak, the Raiders walked off the field with heads high. Their season ended not with disappointment, but with pride in how far they came.

While the road ended sooner than the team hoped, the season showcased the team’s potential. The Raiders played hard, stayed together, and left it all on the field. That is a foundation to be proud of, and one that sets the tone for seasons to come.