BENNINGTON — The Otter Valley Union High School softball season started on Tuesday with a loss when host Division I foe Mount Anthony erased an early OV lead and claimed a 9-3 victory.
The game had been scheduled for Brandon, but moved to Bennington because the Otters’ home field was not ready. The Otters are now set to host the Patriots on May 23 in what was originally a road game.
OV took a 3-0 lead with a three-run second inning. Meghan McKeighan’s two-run homer was the big blow for the Otters in that frame.
But the Patriots took the lead with a five-run fourth inning, during which Makayla Farrara drilled a three-run double off losing pitcher Taylor Aines.
In all, Aines surrendered nine hits and nine walks while striking out four. MAU reliever Jenna Crowley picked up the victory.
Weather and field conditions permitting, the D-II Otters are next set to play at Brattleboro this Thursday before a long break for spring vacation.