Blue Pony fastpitch can't wait to finally play ball

It has been almost two years since the last time the Havre High softball team hit the diamond to play a game as the COVID-19 pandemic shut down their 2020 season. However, that long break will finally come to an end as the Blue Ponies return to the diamond.

"It's just nice to get back out here. I think the girls are excited," said Havre head coach Tony Vigliotti. "It's been almost two years so we're grateful for the opportunity to get out here and get going."

The Ponies last played in 2019, so Vigliotti would not be surprised if they were rusty to start the season. However, he does not expect that to put them at a disadvantage as the teams they will play against experienced the same gap between games.

"We're not the only one in that boat," Vigliotti said. "We missed a whole year basically. We did get some stuff in the summer, but we're not the only ones in that boat so everybody's probably going to be a little bit behind to start, but it won't take long to ramp back up and get back up to speed."

Havre will compete in the Northeast A against Glendive, Lewistown, Miles City and Sidney. They will play each of these teams twice both home and away. The Ponies will also face non-conference opponent Glasgow twice. Teams that Havre will play once include Columbia Falls, Hardin and Great Falls Central.

"Last year, we didn't get to play anybody so whoever's on the schedule, we're happy to play them," Vigliotti said.

Lewistown and Columbia Falls may be Havre's toughest opponents this season, as both teams made the State Class A Tournament in 2019. However, every team's roster has changed over the past two years so it is hard to gauge how good every team can be. Vigliotti is not quite sure what he has in the Ponies yet, but he hopes to have them playing their best late in the season.

"Going into it, we'll just see what we've got. We got some young girls that are going to have to step up and help us out this year," Vigliotti said. "Our goal right now is to try and get better every week and be playing our best come May when our divisional tournament rolls around."

Vigliotti believes that his team can achieve success if they improve throughout the season and execute the game's fundamentals.

"I think just get better every week. I'm really pleased with our pitching," Vigliotti said. "We're going to have to pitch, we're going to have to play defense and put the ball in play. I mean it's a pretty simple game: catch it, pitch it, throw it, hit it. If we can do some of those consistently, it should be successful."

The Havre coaching staff has not yet determined the positions for its players but they will decide that in the next couple weeks before the season starts. Freshmen and sophomores debuting for the Ponies this season include Jersi Morse, Lizzi Haney, Avery Carlson, Danni Wirtzberger and Molly Huse. Juniors such as Alyssa Oliver and Katharine Greenwood will hope to make an impact for the Ponies this season, as well.

The 2021 Havre team is comprised of many seniors such as Quinn McDonald, Lexi Haney, Paige Parsons, Sydney Wilting, Ellie Collins, Samantha Lovenguth and Jocelyn Staples who will be gearing up for their final season. Not only will Vigliotti hope to win with his seniors one last time, but he hopes to impart some lessons onto them before they leave the program.

"The big thing is with any athletics there's some life lessons that you can learn as well. When these guys get out of high school, we want them to be good citizens and productive," Vigliotti said. "Winning's great but being a part of a team and learning some life lessons is important too."

The Ponies will begin their season on the road against Columbia Falls on April 3 at 2 p.m.