Last chance to see the Ponies

As hard as it is to believe, springtime is upon us in Havre, and it’s beautiful. The warm temperatures and sunny blue skies have been a nice change of pace from the cold, wet and murky weather.

Yet, there is more to look forward to in Havre right now than the change in temperature, especially this weekend as springs sports are in full swing and another busy sports day is on tap. The action starts in the morning Saturday as the Havre High softball team will host the Havre Invitational at the Sixth Avenue Memorial Field starting at 9:30 a.m. And It will continue with the HHS track teams set to be in action in a triangular against Malta and Lewistown at the Havre Middle School track starting at 11 a.m.

Traditionally, spring sports are not as popular in terms of fan following as other sports such as football and basketball. But, if you haven’t made it to a Pony softball game then you are missing out. HHS is making a run at another berth in the state tournament and even if the team hasn’t won every game this season, the Ponies play an exciting brand of softball, which makes attending their games well worth the price of admission.

There was a commercial back in the day that featured former Atlanta Braves’ pitchers Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux and the catch phrase was that ‘chicks dig the long ball’—meaning home runs. Well, if you dig the long ball, then you will dig watching the Pony softball team.

Senior Paige Henderson has made a habit of hitting towering home runs this season with eight thus far, including three in a single game just last Saturday against Livingston. Yet, she is more than just a hitter. She is a solid pitcher as well as a spectacular short stop. And as good as she is at the plate, she’s equally good in the field, both with her glove and her arm.

Yet, Henderson is far from the only Havre player with hitting skills that make your head turn. Dani Wagner also has five dingers on the season to go along with two from Jacey McDonald. Together, Henderson, Wagner and McDonald have helped the Havre offense evolve from mediocre to explosive. And while they may not be murderer’s row, the nickname given to the New York Yankees’ lineup that featured Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig and others in the 1920s, they are still fun to watch.

So if you haven’t made it to a Pony softball game this year, you should — because in addition to it being the Havre Invitational, it’s also the last time the team will play at home this season, which means a final farewell for Henderson and fellow seniors Morgan Mazurkiewicz, Harlee Boucher, Shania Carlson and Jordyn Warren.

Saturday will also be the final time that the Pony track teams compete at home this season as the triangular against Malta and Lewistown will be their final tune-up for the Central A divisional meet, which is scheduled for May 15-16 in Belgrade.

Both Havre track teams are young and far from finished products but both the boys and girls teams have plenty of athletes to make things exciting. Nate Rismon, who is a standout on both the football field and basketball court, has put together a tremendous season as a sprinter, placing virtually every time he’s competed in the 200 and 400-meter dash. Gunnar Aageson is another stellar performer, who has put together a great season in the pole vault, while others such as Ivar Aageson, Michael Loftus, Nick Keller, Jacob LaBrie and Luke Karnauskas have been lights out.

The girls team is also blessed with talent, especially when it comes to the runners and hurdlers. Rachel David and Megan Erickson have made their marks in the distance races for HHS this season, while Logan Huebsch, Naomi Terry and Ireland Coyne have done the same in the hurdles.

And with two teams that are strong in both boys and girls track in Malta and Lewistown, the competition should be intense and entertaining.

So if you are in need of a sports fix and want a taste of the outdoors this Saturday, stop by the track or the softball field, or both, because there is no better way to spend a spring day then being outside and watching some great high school sports action.