Ponies make home debut today

The Havre High softball team is still without its first win in the 2017 season, but that is something that Blue Ponies are hoping to change tonight, in their home opener.

Havre, which is officialy 0-1 on the season, after losing last Saturday in Lewistown, will look to even its overall and conference records tonight with a win over Central A rival Browning. The first pitch is set for tonight at approximately 5, at the Sixth Avenue Memorial Field.

"Browning, they were a lot more competitive last season," HHS head coach Whitney McNally said. "I think their coach has them going in the right direction and hopefully that will continue this season, so we can't overlook them."

Over the years, Havre softball has dominated Browning and the Ponies swept the Indians last season, winning both of their regular-season meetings by way of the mercy rule. Yet, with just four home games in conference play, each one is essential and with that in mind, Havre will send out one of its top pitchers, Alex Barkus to the mound for the start.

With Barkus heading to the bump to face the Indians, Jacelyn Hassa will be in left field for the Ponies. Joining her in the outfield will be Madi Shennum in right and Jenae Boles in center.

While Barkus is throwing pitches, Nicole Parsons will be catching them and covering the plate at catcher. The rest of the infield behind Barkus will include Jacy McDonald at first base, Madison Tommerup at second, Camryn Huston at shortstop and Kate Compton at third.

Others that could see time on the field for the Ponies against the Indians are Lauren Kato, Traclyn LaBuda and Mariah Matosich.

In the first game of the season against Lewistown, Havre played well defensively, with just two errors against the Eagles. HHS also was able to hold Lewistown to just five runs after giving up 14 hits.

However, if the Ponies are going to knock off Browning, they know they will need to do more than just play well on defense, they are going to need to get their bats going.

"Hitting has been a focus for us all season," McNally said. "Hopefully, we can get some offense going a little earlier against Browning than we did against Lewistown."

The offense is led by McDonald, a senior, that earned Second-Team All-Conference honors in the Central A last season. And last weekend, she showed her prowess at the plate again as she belted a two-run triple in the loss to Lewistown.

Yet, the Ponies offense also has a reliable hitter at the top of the order in Parsons and an explosive athlete in Boles, who knows how to get on base and advance when she gets on safely. Huston is another big bat in the middle of the order, while Hassa, Barkus and Tommerup are also threats to do damage at the plate.

"It's going to be fun," McNally said. "It's always nice to play at home and I think that the girls will be excited about that."

Havre will take on Browning tonight at 5, then the Ponies will hit the road for the Lewistown Invitational Friday and Saturday, before returning home Monday night to host Lewistown in a conference game.