Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Harlee Boucher, Havre Softball

Blue Pony senior Harlee Boucher has been playing fastpitch for the better part of her life

Since its inception, the Havre High softball program has grown in leaps and bounds. Over time, the wins have started to mount and the reason for that is the development of talented players such as Harlee Boucher.

Boucher, who is in her senior season playing for the Blue Ponies, has been a four-year starter at first base for HHS and has been an important part of the rise in Havre softball. That rise culminated last season when the Ponies made the state tournament and notched a 7-5 win over Miles City in the first round, thanks in part to the consistent play of Boucher not only at first but as a batter as well.

Yet, for Boucher, her softball playing days go far beyond high school as she started playing when she was in kindergarten. That in itself is not unique, but one thing that has made playing the game so meaningful for her is the fact that she has gotten to share most of her time on the softball diamond with her younger sister, Scout Boucher, a sophomore who plays second base and center field for Havre.

And coming into the year it seemed that, just like last year, the Boucher sisters would get to spend most of the season playing side-by-side at first and second base. But, the injury to Rachel Majeres forced some changes, which means that Scout Boucher now will play part of the time in the outfield. But, even so, it's an experience that the Boucher sisters are fortunate to have.

Harlee Boucher, who was named Central A All-Conference honorable mention last season, is hoping to create some more great memories this season, not just with her sister but her teammates as well, as the Ponies try to get back to the state tournament for the second consecutive season.

So far, things have been up and down for HHS, as they boast a 3-3 record against a difficult schedule. Last weekend, the Ponies took fourth in the Belgrade Invitational but lost 11-2 to conference rival Belgrade in the semifinals before falling to Polson in the fourth-place game.

Now, Boucher and the Ponies will get a chance to enact some revenge for their first two losses this season as they will travel to Glasgow tonight to take on the Scotties, who beat HHS in the first game of the season, before returning home Saturday to host Belgrade in a Central A conference doubleheader.

Saturday's doubleheader is especially important considering that seeding at divisionals will be on the line and with Belgrade being quite possibly the best team in the Central A, a win for Havre would be an enormous confidence booster.

But before the Ponies hit the road to start their busy week of softball, the Havre Daily News caught up with Harlee Boucher for five questions.

HDN: What do you like about playing softball?

Boucher: "Well, I have been playing since I was in kindergarten and I have always liked playing defense."

HDN: What are you going to miss the most when you are done playing?

Boucher: "Just getting to be around my friends and playing with them. I will also miss playing with my sister."

HDN: What has it been like playing with your sister for the Ponies?

Boucher: "It's been great. We have been playing together for a long time. I will miss that. But I will come home and watch her games."

HDN: What are your plans after high school?

Boucher: "I am going to Dawson Community College to start taking some classes. I am going into early childhood education."

HDN: What is the favorite moment of your softball career?

Boucher: "One was in a game last season when I hit a triple. And also playing in the state tournament was really exciting."