Havre softball prepares for key games

The Havre High softball team has played a number of important games already this season, but none in the regular season will be as critical as the three games HHS will play this weekend.

The Blue Ponies, who are 2-3 overall and 2-2 in the Central A conference have three crucial contests as they head to Lewistown for a road game today at 5 p.m. Havre will return home Saturday to the Sixth Avenue Memorial Field for a doubleheader against Livingston. The first pitch against the Rangers is scheduled to be tossed at noon, the second game will follow the completion of the first and will start at about 2 p.m.

"I think that we have been really improving," HHS head coach Whitney McNally said. "Being more consistent on offense is something that needed to get and I think that the last couple of games, the girls have done a much better job of hitting the ball."

Offensively, a team can't do much more than Havre did against Browning last Tuesday, as the Ponies piled up 29 runs in a 29-0 rout. Yet, both Lewistown and Livingston will provide much tougher tests than Browning, which Havre also defeated 19-0 earlier this season.

The Eagles, who missed out on the Class A state tournament a season ago, should provide a stiff challenge for the Ponies, in what will be the first meeting between the two teams. The second game between the two teams will be May 7 in Havre.

Last season, Lewistown finished fourth in the Central A, but with a deep roster, the Eagles looked to be much improved this season, as evidenced by recent wins over Dillon and Miles City. They, along with Havre and Livingston are contenders for the No. 2 spot in the final conference standings behind Belgrade, which is unbeaten in conference play.

After this weekend, the Ponies will have just one conference game remaining on their schedule, so these three games will go a long way in determining seeding for divisionals, which is why this stretch is so crucial.

It's also why Havre will need a great effort, not only from its offense, but its defense and, more importantly, its pitching staff. The three likely starters this weekend for Havre are Dani Wagner, Alex Barkus and J.J. Hassa, who held Browning with a run or a hit on Tuesday.

Wagner, who will play in centerfield when she isn't pitching, will need to excel not only on the mound, but in the batter's box as well for Havre this weekend. Wagner has put up solid power numbers all year long and leads Havre with three home runs so far this season.

Along with Wagner, the Havre offense has gotten good production, especially in terms of extra-base hits, from Camryn Huston and Claire Worm. Huston ripped a three-run homer against Browning, while Worm was 4-for-4.

Scout Boucher, who is one of Havre's most important defenders at shortstop, has also been a consistent hitter this season and has a home run to her credit as well. Other contributors include catcher Nicole Parsons, third baseman Payton Howard, first baseman Jacey McDonald and Madison Tommerup.

In Livingston, Havre will face another team that is on the rise. The Rangers, like Havre, qualified for the state tournament last season and will be looking to make another appearance this year. Livingston hasn't played many regulation games yet this spring, but they do own a 10-2 victory over Miles City, a state tournament team a season ago.

"These games are going to be much tougher games," McNally said. "We just need to keep doing what we have been doing and staying consistent with our hitting."

Havre plays Lewistown today at 5 p.m. The Ponies will then host Livingston for a doubleheader Saturday that is set to get underway at noon.