NEWPORT — In Division II high school softball action earlier this week, Otter Valley dropped a home contest to visiting rival Fair Haven, while Mount Abraham and Vergennes both won on the road.
In D-I Middlebury hosted Mount Mansfield; see story on Page 1B.
SLATERS NIP OTTERS
On Monday, Fair Haven edged the Otters, 6-5, as Slater pitcher Olivia Bowen struck out 12 and worked out of one bases-loaded, no-out jam without surrendering a run. Bowen allowed eight hits, three of them to Gabby Poalino, who homered for the fourth time in four games and tripled and singled.
OV hurler Courtney Bushey also allowed eight hits in taking the loss; she fanned four. Liz Muratorri andAbby Ferrara led the Slaters with two hits apiece.
The Slaters improved to 5-3 with what was their fifth straight win. OV fell to 3-6 with their third loss by one run.
COMMODORES
On Tuesday, the Commodores scored four times in the fifth to rally for a 6-4 win at Champlain Valley. Nikki Salley’s three-run homer keyed the big inning. Salley also poked an RBI single earlier in the game.
Tamara Aunchman earned the pitching win, allowing seven hits and three earned runs and striking out nine. She and Megan Martin each knocked out three hits, and Taylor Bresnick added an RBI single. Coach Mike Martin said Bresnick and Martin made key defensive plays as the Commodores improved to 5-4.
EAGLES
On Tuesday, the Eagles pounded out a 16-6 win over host North Country (5-4). Rachael McCormick earned the pitching win and drilled four hits and drove in three runs. Dani Forand banged four hits, including a three-run homer, and drove in four runs, and Katelyn Ouellette’s five hits included a double. The 7-2 Eagles maintained their position in the top three in Division II with the D-I road win.