Members of the Hopkinton High School girls golf team pose with their second-place trophy Monday. PHOTO/HHS ATHLETICS

The Hopkinton High School girls golf team finished second at Monday’s state championship at Indian Pond Golf Club in Kingston.

Walpole, the South sectional champion, won the title at 80 over par.

Hopkinton, the North/Central/West sectional champion, was 17 shots back, and eight strokes ahead of third-place Wellesley.

“We knew they were going to be the team to beat,” HHS coach Bill Phaneuf said of the champs from Walpole, “and they were definitely the best today.”

Added Phaneuf: “I wouldn’t say it would be impossible to beat this team, but we would have needed four players to have their best rounds. Obviously, we’re thrilled coming in second in the state.”

Gigi Linton was Hopkinton’s top finisher, tying for 16th with an 87, which was 15 over par. Reese Robledo tied for 23rd with a 91. Bridget Wilk tied for 32nd at 99. It marked her first tournament under 100 — “a great round” at a crucial time, according to Phaneuf.

Also for Hopkinton, Leah Hong tied for 43rd with a 108, Maddie Fitzpatrick shot a 116 and Lucy Stevenson carded a 121.

Making Hopkinton’s rise to state runner-up more impressive, this is just the fourth year of the program.

“The girls were absolutely thrilled after the round today,” Phaneuf said. “I heard a few of them say they were still in disbelief — not that they weren’t confident, but to get here from where we were, starting the tournament just four years ago, is impressive.”

Last year, the Hillers missed advancing out of the sectional to the state championship by a single stroke.

“That was a stinging memory, and it motivated them to get through this year,” Phaneuf said. “That was our goal at the beginning of the year — make sectionals and then qualify for states. They outperformed that by winning the sectionals. Then we thought a top-three finish here would be a great result, and we took second.”

The Hillers will lose three seniors — Hong, Fitzpatrick and Ruchi Dave — but with Wilk on the rise and some other young players eager to step up, the future looks bright.

“Losing Leah, we need to have a solid replacement. But Bridget is 100% into golf, and I’m sure she’ll fill that 3 spot,” Phaneuf said. “And Gigi and Reese will have had another year of competition. I think we’re going to be as good or better next year.”

Baseball falls at Natick

The HHS baseball team dropped a 6-3 decision to host Natick on Monday night in a Division 1 first-round game.

The Hillers made a late charge, scoring twice in the final inning and putting the tying run at the plate, before succumbing.

Softball plays Wednesday

The HHS softball team will host Malden Catholic on Wednesday at 5 p.m. in the Division 1 Round of 16.

Hopkinton (18-3), the seventh seed, is coming off a 7-0 victory over Plymouth North on Sunday.

Malden Catholic (18-3), seeded 10th, knocked off 23rd-seeded Lexington, 4-1, on Tuesday.