Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Janae Boles, Havre High Softball

It's been a big last few days or so for Havre High junior Janae Boles who recently signed to play softball next year at Dawson Community College in Glendive.

That was last Thursday. This Thursday, Boles and the Blue Ponies will start a critical stretch of Central A conference games, which begins with a road game against Lewistown. Havre also returns home Friday to take on Belgrade in a doubleheader and rematch of last season's Central A championship game.

For Boles, it's also the start of her final run playing the sport she loves for the Blue Ponies.

"I just love softball," Boles said. "It's just in my blood. My parents have always been really into it and around the game. My sister played and brother were all involved in softball or baseball and it's just something that is part of our family. I am always around the ballpark either at a softball or baseball game."

When it comes to the sport, Boles has always been a natural and at Havre High, she quickly ascended to the varsity team as a freshman and played a role off the bench on a team that eventually made it to the state tournament.

Throughout her career, she has played a few different positions. Right now, she has found a home out in the outfield, where she has excelled the past two seasons defensively. Her effort there is part of what earned her All-Conference honors last season within the Central A, as the Ponies finished as the runner-up in the league and made it back to state for the third time during her tenure with the team.

While she is playing in the outfield now, Boles was also a catcher during her sophomore season with the Ponies and that's another position where she feels comfortable. Defensively, Boles has been one of Havre's most reliable players, but she has been just as productive offensively.

Boles isn't a power hitter by any means, but she is exceptional at getting on base and uses her speed as a weapon. As the leadoff hitter, she has been among the team leaders in runs scored each of the last two years and is poised to do the same this season.

"My job as the leadoff is just to try and get on base," Boles said. "If I have runners on base I will try to get a hit and drive them in, but mostly my job is getting on base and if that's bunting or whatever, that's what I want to do."

Boles said she was excited to continue her softball career next season but that her focus right now was on trying to win the Central A conference and make it back to to the Class A state tournament.

In order for the Ponies to do that, Boles will need to play key roles both defensively and as the table setter of the offense. She's been a productive and versatile player for HHS and before the Ponies start their most crucial stretch of the regular season, the Havre Daily News caught up with Boles for five questions.

HDN: How does it feel signing to play at DCCC?

Boles: "I am pretty excited. I think Dawson has a pretty good program and that will get me started in my softball career since I am considering continuing after my two years there."

HDN: So is your family the reason you fell in love with softball?

Boles: "Yes. My mom was my coach once. She got me into it when I was a kid but I always enjoyed it. It's just in my blood and I am really excited to have a chance to continue to keep playing."

HDN: Have you found a home playing outfield?

Boles: "At first I didn't like outfield, at least not when I was younger. It didn't seem like much happened, but now I love it. I liked playing catcher because you are kind of in control of the game and you see the whole field but I really like playing where I'm at. I'll play wherever the team needs me."

HDN: What have you enjoyed most about playing for the Ponies?

Boles: "We have had a lot of good times. Bus rides are always fun. We are always singing on the bus and dancing sometimes. After long weekends or days of softball, those are the most fun. I like that we are a really good team. Our drama is left off the field and we all get along really well. We work really well as a team. We have a good program going."

HDN: What's your goal for this season?

Boles: "I think team-wise our goal is to keep working as a team and get wins obviously. Hopefully, get a conference title or a state title. We are really working hard and I think we are there and have the capability. It will be really tough but I know we can do it."