Ponies battle Rangers in key conference games

The Havre High softball team has had some ups and downs lately, but with two critical games on the road this weekend, the Blue Ponies can’t afford to slip up.

Havre, which is 3-3-1 overall in seven official games this season, is 2-3 in the Central A conference. HHS can improve that record Saturday, when it will head to Livingston for a doubleheader between the two Central A rivals. The first pitch is set to go out at noon, with the second game to follow after.

“Every conference game is key,” HHS head coach Whitney McNally said. “We want to try and finish in one of those top three spots so that makes all those games mean something.”

Despite dropping two home games to Belgrade last Saturday, the Ponies should have some positive momentum as a result of their 15-0 win over Browning Tuesday night on the road. The win was the second dominant victory over the Indians this season. HHS also beat Browning 16-0 in Havre earlier this month.

Yet, outside of the two wins over Browning, the Ponies are 0-3 in the Central A. Havre lost twice to Belgrade and also fell to second-place Lewistown by just one run in extra innings.

Of course, as usual, pitching will be a big key for Havre and once again, McNally and the Ponies will turn to Alex Barkus and Jaycelyn Hassa to handle those duties. Both pitchers have a win over Browning to the their credit, but each got a loss last Saturday. Hassa also lost earlier this season to Lewistown in extra innings, so she will be looking to even her conference record as a starter to 2-2.

The good thing about Hassa and Barkus is that both are able to contribute to a lineup that is looking to follow up on Tuesday’s 15-run performance against Browning. Senior Jacey McDonald, who has seen time at first base and centerfield this season, has been on a tear and was two-for-two for a triple and two RBIs in her last outing.

McDonald is the cleanup hitter in Havre’s lineup, but truth be told, the batters in front of her, Nicole Parsons, Janae Boles and Barkus, have done a solid job of getting on base and putting runners in scoring position when she comes to the plate.

Other contributors for Havre include Madison Tommerup, Peyton Brown, Mariah Matosich, Lauren Kato, Tracyn LaBuda, Kate Compton and Sam Oliver.

“We just have to learn from our mistakes in some of these past games,” McNally said. “That’s the biggest thing. We need to handle better pitching.”

After taking on Livingston Saturday, Havre will have just one Central A game remaining and that will be a makeup game against Lewistown. The two teams had a game postponed due to rain on April 17.

The Ponies will visit Cut Bank Tuesday, before hosting the Have Invitational tournament next Saturday.