The Otters opened the season Monday against Alexandria and lost both games of the doubleheader, 7-5 and 10-2. “The Otter pitching did well, but they didn’t play up to the speed of the game in the field or at the plate, which for the first games is understandable,” said Head Coach Steve King.

The Otter hitting still needs to improve, but they used superb pitching and a very strong defense to beat Wahpeton. Garrett Kuhn-Rice started and pitched three very strong innings, followed by two dominate innings by Isaac Ellison, who got the win, and one scoreless inning from Levi King for the save.

The game was highlighted by defense as the Otters turned in several solid plays. Isaac Iverson made a sliding catch in left field, King made a nice play at shortstop and Logan Larson was solid as usual behind the plate. The game ended with King on the mound and the tying run on first. The Wahpeton hitter hit a hard ground ball the shortstop Isaac Ellison, who flipped it to Boston Rosin at second for the force and Boston made a great pivot and an on target throw to Alex Ellison at first for the game ending 6-4-3 double play.

The Otters next game is at home Thursday against Morris.