Ponies lose close ones at state

A season ago, at the Class A state softball tournament, the Havre Blue Ponies defeated Miles City in dramatic fashion. One year later, in the 2015 state tournament, the Cowgirls got their shot at revenge and made sure to take advantage of it.

The two teams met Thursday in Anaconda in the opening round of the state tournament and despite an exhilarating rally late in the game, the Ponies fell to Miles City by the score of 8-7. Then, Friday, facing elimination, Havre took on Billings Central, which defeated HHS 6-2 to end the Ponies’ season.

While the season-ending loss to Billings Central was tough to handle, the real heartbreaker came against Miles City in the first round. The Ponies were playing with plenty of confidence going into state, but even with their best pitcher, Dani Wagner on the mound, the Cowgirls scored eight runs in the first four innings of the game to build an 8-0 advantage.

The Ponies refused to quit and, starting in the bottom of the sixth inning, they rallied. First, Havre plated six runs in the bottom of the sixth, thanks to RBI singles from Scout Boucher, Payton Howard and Paige Henderson, as well as an RBI double by Wagner and a two-run error by Miles City.

Then after Henderson held the Cowgirls scoreless in the top half of the seventh, the Ponies inched even closer in the bottom of the seventh as Shania Carlson ripped an RBI single to get HHS within just a single at 8-7. Unfortunately, the Ponies couldn’t get the tying run across and fell just short of pulling off an incredible comeback.

Henderson was spectacular in the loss for Havre, going 4-for-4 at the plate with a double and an RBI. She also pitched four scoreless and innings and struck out three to keep Havre within striking distance. Wagner added two doubles and an RBI. Morgan Mazurkewicz also pitched in with a pair of hits, while Howard, Carlson and Boucher each contributed with a hit and an RBI.

Wagner was hit with the loss for Havre after allowing eight runs in three innings. She walked three and struck out two batters. It may not have been Wagner’s best day on the mound, but she wasn’t aided much by a defense that committed a total of five errors.

After falling to the Cowgirls Thursday, the Ponies returned Friday afternoon to take on Billings Central in loser-out action. And for the second straight game, Havre fell behind early, spotting the Rams a 2-0 lead after the first inning.

In the top of the fourth inning, the Rams added to their lead with two more runs to put them in front 4-0. Yet, the Ponies cut into the lead thanks to an RBI single by Carlson. Then, with the score still 4-1 in favor of the Rams, Jacey McDonald belted an RBI double in the bottom of the sixth inning to score another run and get HHS within two going into the seventh and final inning.

However, in the top half of the inning, the Rams added a pair of insurance runs to go ahead 6-2. And in the bottom half of the inning, Molly Day capped off a stellar pitching effort by holding Havre scoreless to seal the four-run victory for Billings Central.

In seven innings of work, Day pitched a gem to eliminate Havre from the state tournament, allowing just two runs on nine hits, while also striking out nine. Wagner was the losing pitcher for Havre but put together a solid effort, holding the Rams to six runs on 14 hits. She also struck out three.

Wagner also had a good day at the plate, going 2-for-2, drawing a walk and scoring a run. Carlson added two hits and an RBI, while Harlee Boucher also notched two hits in her final game as a Blue Pony. McDonald added a hit and RBI for HHS, while Howard and Jordyn Warren also posted hits in the loss.

With defeats at the hands of Billings Central and Miles City, the Ponies finished the season with an overall record of 13-12.

Miles City 8, Havre 7

Miles City 213 200 0 - 8 12 1

Havre 000 006 1 - 7 13 3

Tori Ogolin, Arena Porter (6) and Madi Hill. Dani Wagner, Paige Henderson (4) and Shania Carlson. W - Ogolin. L - Hill.

MILES CITY - Sierra Niedge 3-5, Ogolin 0-3, Kristen Selk 0-4, Gabby Richards 3-4, Chelsea Davis 2-5, Alexa Kappel 0-3, Hill 1-3, Porter 0-3, Jenna Swope 1-3.

HAVRE - Morgan Mazurkiewicz 2-4, Scout Boucher 1-4, Wagner 2-4, Henderson 4-4, Jacey McDonald 0-3, Carlson 1-4, Payton Howard 0-2, Madison Tommerup 1-2, Harlee Boucher 0-3, Jordyn Warren 0-2.

2B - Neidge Wagner, Henderson. RBI - Richardson, Niedge, Davis Henderson, Tommerup, Carlson.

Billings Central 6, Havre 2

Billings Central 200 200 2 - 6 10 1

Havre 000 101 0 - 2 5 1

Molly Day and Addy Daubert. Dani Wagner and Shania Carlson. W - Day. L - Wagner.

BILLINGS CENTRAL - Bailey Kufeld 1-5, Aubrey Walter 2-5, Skylar Rockwell 2-4, Allison Walter 2-4, Maggie Meyer 0-4, Day 0-4, Morgan Smith 1-4, Daubert 1-4, Jessie Schmitz 1-4.

HAVRE - Morgan Mazurkiewicz 0-4, Scout Boucher 0-3, Wagner 1-2, Paige Henderson 0-3, Jacey McDonald 0-3, Shania Carlson 2-3, Payton Howard 1-3, Harlee Boucher 1-3, Jordyn Warren 0-3.

2B -Al. Walter, Rockwell. RBI - Rockwell 2, Al. Walter.