Blue Pony softball swings for state

It has been an up and down season for the Havre High softball team. But, if the Blue Ponies can play their way into the Class A state tournament, then they will still have achieved one of their biggest goals at the start of the season.

Havre comes into the tournament, which starts Friday and runs through Saturday in Belgrade, with an overall record of 5-10, but a 4-4 record in Central A conference play. The Ponies will open their tournament against Lewistown, a team that defeated them twice during the regular season. First pitch will go out at 1 p.m.

"It's going to be very important for us to win that game," HHS head coach Whitney McNally said. "And we know that we can do it, it's just a matter of just going out and playing the way we are capable of playing."

With its 4-4 record in the Central A, Havre earned the third seed, but was well behind Belgrade (18-1, 8-0) and Lewistown (14-6, 6-2) in the final standings. And while the Ponies were competitive in those matchups, their biggest problem was a lack of run production, which is something they will need to correct this weekend.

"I think we have done a good job hitting, we just need to consistency," McNally said. "If we can do that and cut down on simple mistakes, we should have a good chance."

As the regular season champions, Belgrade gets a bye in the first round and will play the winner of Livingston (7-10, 2-8) and Browning (0-14, 0-8). The team that emerges from that side of the bracket will face Havre or Lewistown in the first semifinal, Saturday at 11 a.m.

A win over the Eagles would also clinch a berth in the state tournament for Havre. However, if HHS loses to Lewistown, the Ponies will need to win two consecutive games, likely against Browning and Livingston, in loser-out action, to clinch their third straight trip to state.

If the Ponies lose their opening game, they will play at 5 p.m., and again at 7 p.m. with another victory. Winning both of those games would also ensure a spot at state.

One player that will need to come up big in order for Havre to achieve its goal is senior Dani Wagner. Wagner, who has a team-leading seven home runs this season, is also Havre's top pitcher and will likely be on the mound as much as possible this weekend.

While Wagner is Havre's most dangerous offensive weapon, other such as Scout Boucher, Camryn Huston, Jacey McDonald and Claire Worm have produced consistently at the plate. Boucher and Huston each have had multiples games with home runs this season.

Wagner is essential on offense for Havre, but she will also be on the mound for the Ponies and when she's not, she as good a center fielder as there is in the state. While the senior will likely throw the majority of the pitches at the tournament, others such as JJ Hassa and Alex Barkus could see time on the hill as well.

Other contributors for the Ponies include third baseman Payton Howard, catcher Nicole Parsons and outfielder Madison Tommerup. Janae Boles has also been used in a number of different roles both on offense and defense.

There will be five games overall in the tournament on Friday and at the end of the first day, three teams will still be alive, all of which will be heading to the state tournament.

"I think it would be great if we could get back to state," McNally said. "It would mean that the program is still going forward and succeeding and that would mean a lot."

Havre will play Lewistown Friday at 1 p.m. The championship game will be played at 3 p.m., Saturday, with a second championship game, if necessary to be played at 5 p.m.