HHS softball team seeks games in Lewistown

The Havre High softball team finally got on the field earlier this week, which was still a couple weeks later than expected. Yet the Blue Ponies are not done dealing with the weather, as their scheduled two-day tournament in Lewistown this weekend may be in jeopardy.

Havre played their season-opening game last Tuesday night in a Central A conference game and dropped the outing to the Eagles 14-4. However, with some bad weather and some unfriendly forecasts on the horizon, HHS has decided to make the trip just for Saturday, instead of playing both days as originally planned. The Ponies were scheduled to play Laurel and Miles City today, as well as Hardin and Huntley Project Saturday.

"It's frustrating," HHS head coach Tony Vigliotti said. "We might still go Saturday, but a decision is going to be made (Friday)."

Normally, the Ponies get a chance to play in a couple of non-conference tournaments before conference play gets going in earnest. However, with all the cancellations and delays due to weather, that has not been the case this season. Havre had a tournament canceled in Great Falls at the end of March and also had a game against Glasgow postponed. The loss of two more contests could be harmful for a team that still needs time to gel and find its identity.

"We are just looking forward to getting more time on the field," Vigliotti said. "Our game was the first time we were on a real softball field this season, so it's going to take some time. We just want to go out there and get some more experience and this will be a great chance to do that."

The Ponies do have some veterans, such as No. 1 pitcher Alex Barkus and Camryn Huston. Yet Huston is sidelined with an injury right now, leading to younger players such as Janae Boles, Sam Oliver, Peyton Brown and Sydney Wilting to pick up the slack, along with other experienced players such as Lauren Kato and Kinzee Peterson. Other contributors are Katelyn Maloughney and Jera Verploegen.

"There are still some things we are trying to figure out," Vigliotti said. "We need to see them play more and want to still try a few different things, so hopefully we will get a chance to play some more games and do that."

While Barkus pitched the entire game against Lewistown Tuesday, that probably won't be case if the Ponies are able to participate in both days of the tournament. Barkus will certainly be the on the bump at some point, but others that should see time on the mound for Havre will be Oliver and Kato.

After taking part in the Lewistown Invitational, the Ponies will return to Havre for their next scheduled game, which is set for next Friday at the Sixth Avenue Memorial Field. It will be the Ponies home opener and it will be played against Lewistown. Havre will then travel to Belgrade April 21 for a crucial doubleheader against the defending Central A champions.