Ponies left to wait to play Livingston

According to the 2014 schedule, the Havre High softball program was in line to have a pretty busy conference weekend. But more spring rain made its way through the area, and instead of three Central A matchups, the Blue Ponies played just one.

Friday the Ponies wrapped up their regular season meetings with the Lewistown Golden Eagles. Havre took game one in Havre last week, but the Eagles returned the favor with a 16-6 win in Lewistown Friday afternoon. Saturday the Ponies were slated to host a conference doubleheader with the Livingston Rangers. Those crucial games were postponed and moved to Tuesday afternoon at the Sixth Avenue Memorial Field in Havre, leaving the Ponies conference record at 3-3 as they continue the hunt for a state berth.

The story leading up to Friday’s matchup was the hot hitting of the Blue Pony lineup. In the last meeting between the Ponies and Eagles, HHS rallied for 11 runs off of 16 hits. Friday the Ponies still matched the Eagles’ 12 hits with 12 of their own, but couldn’t come up with enough runs to keep the ballgame close. Head coach Danny Wirtzberger has stressed the importance of scoring runs this season because the Ponies, while setting into a groove defensively, and having a solid ace in Rachel Majeres, have been known to give up runs themselves. The Ponies are giving up nearly six runs per game, that total dropping from more than seven runs per game after two shutout wins over Browning and one over Sheppard leading up to Fridays loss on the road.

Now that the Ponies have found a way to get hits consistently, hopefully those hits will come at opportune times, and back-to-back or in bunches. Havre scored six runs against the Eagles, but had just three RBIs. Lewistown had 13 RBIs resulting from its 12 hits.

But the Ponies were in contention early, even as the Eagles went up 2-0 through the first inning. In the top of the second the Ponies rallied for three runs to go up 3-2, but the Eagles hot hitting continued as they added five more runs in the bottom of the frame. Havre cut into the lead again with one run in the top of the third, but the Eagles led 7-4 through four innings. After that the Eagles got hot again, posting a combined nine more runs on the Ponies through the fifth and sixth innings. Havre did score two runs in the sixth, but it wasn’t nearly enough to close the gap in time.

"Cassie Miller pitched a great game against us, she was hitting her spots and the defense played great behind her," Wirtzberger said. "Right now, we are struggling to see past the elements, and seeing how we can play through things. But we have to get better at that because there is a good chance we will play in some bad weather at divisionals."

Majeres had a solid day at the plate for the Ponies, as she went 3-for-3 had had one RBI and one stolen base. Harlee Boucher and Tori Mazurkiewicz both went 2-for-4, while Scout Boucher and Jordyn Warren both had one RBI each on 1-for-3 plate appearances. Dani Wagner, Shaniah Carlson, and Morgan Mazurkiewicz had one hit each. Wagner and Carlson each had a double, while Calrson also had a stolen base for the Blue Ponies.

Majeres also did most of the pitching Friday, as the defense backed her up with just two errors. Majeres pitched four-and-one-third innings, but gave up nine hits and eight earned runs. Majeres struck out two batters but walked five. Wagner came on in relief, giving up four earned runs, walking two and striking out zero.

With the postseason goals still ahead of Havre High, the Ponies will look to get back on track Tuesday when they host Livingston at the Sixth Avenue Memorial Field in Havre.

But Livingston won’t give up wins easily, as the Rangers do have a stout defense and should make the Ponies earn every run they get. Coach Wirtzberger noted the talent at the catcher, shortstop, and left field positions, as well as the talent from likely starting pitcher Sierra Higgs. It is going to take the entire HHS lineup getting hits, getting on base and manufacturing runs if the Ponies hope to grab one, and even two, much-needed conference wins. Henderson, Majeres, Carlson, and Wagner should once again lead the offensive efforts. But the Rangers can also swing the bats with a lineup that includes talent like Megan Gibson, Jacey Schleicher, Meadow Ingram, Higgs and Mackenzie Corder. Ingram has shown home run power this season, while the Rangers showed they could rally for hits after hanging 16 hits in a loss to Laurel earlier this season.

After the rain put a damper and on the Ponie’s weekend games, Havre will host Livingston Tuesday in Havre. The Ponies will also make a trip to the Butte Central Invite Friday and Saturday where they will get a handful of non-conference games before the post-season tournament begin.

Lewistown 16, Havre 6

Havre 031 002 – 6 12 2

Lewistown 250 054 – 16 12 3

WP – Cassie Miller; LP – Rachel Majeres

Havre – Dani Wagner 1-4, Harlee Boucher 2-4, Paige Henderson 0-2, Rachel Majeres 3-3 RBI, Scout Boucher 1-3 RBI, Shaniah Carlson 1-3, Morgan Mazurkiewicz 1-3, Tori Mazurkiewicz 2-4, Jordyn Warren 1-3 RBI.

Lewistown – Danell 0-2 RBI, Gremaux 0-1, Alexander 0-1 RBI, Comes 1-2 RBI, Miller 2-3 3RBIs, Kindzeoski 2-4 RBI, Weichel 0-3 RBI,, Southworth 0-3, Towne 2-2, Gapay 3-3 3RBIs, Comes 2-3 2RBIs.