Havre softball opens conference play this weekend

After winning their first home game Tuesday in nearly two years, the Havre High softball team now looks ahead to this weekend where the Blue Ponies will host a pair of games at Sixth Avenue Memorial Field.

They will first play Hardin Friday and then the Blue Ponies will begin conference play Saturday when they host Glendive. After playing six games this season, HHS head coach Tony Vigliotti believes his team is prepared for more meaningful games.

"We're ready. We're just at a point where we need to play some games," Vigliotti said. "We're going to get to do that this week so we're ready to go."

The Ponies head into the weekend with a record of 3-2-1. Their pitching staff has been key to the Ponies' success this season. Lexi Haney leads the Havre pitching staff with two wins in four starts this season. She has struck out 32 batters this season. The Ponies may also turn to Avery Carlson who has started two games this season and is coming off a win against Browning. She has struck out 23 batters this season.

"Our strength is pitching for sure," Vigliotti said. "We're not walking a lot of people, we're letting the other team put the ball in play when we need to."

On offense, Havre will have several batters who can make an impact. Quinn McDonald leads the team with 11 RBIs this season and Haney has six RBIs this season. Carlson and Alyssa Oliver also have five RBIs each and Carlson leads the team with a .583 batting average. Vigliotti believes his offense has improved from earlier in the season.

"We're not striking out near as much anymore," Vigliotti said. "We're putting the ball in play, and eventually, even if you don't get hits, the more you put the ball in play, the more those balls will fall in for hits."

Their first opponent, Hardin, comes into the weekend with a record of 2-4. Like every other team they are playing this season, it has been nearly two years since the last time Havre has played them. Despite their losing record, Vigliotti expects them to compete hard this Friday.

"We've played them in the past and they always bring good teams to town," Vigliotti said. "We're looking forward to them coming and competing."

Some batters the Ponies will look to hold at bay include Macey Uffelman and Merasia Fisher, who both lead the Bulldogs with a .400 batting average this season. Uffelman has driven in two runs this season while Fisher has only driven in one.

The Ponies will then open conference play Saturday against Glendive. The Red Devils will be looking for their first win this season as they are 0-4. The Ponies have not played Glendive in nearly two years but will need to get reacquainted quickly in order to start conference play on the right foot.

"That's our first conference game, so we need to get off to a good start in the conference and hopefully we can do that," Vigliotti said.

Vigliotti looks forward to getting to play two games this weekend. He believes as the Ponies play more games this season, they will continue to improve so they will be playing their best late in the season.

"It's just getting out there and playing. You can do a lot in practice but, until in that situation in a game, it's just not the same as practice," Vigliotti said. "We just need to keep working on our overall game in everything: pitching, hitting, defense. The mental side of the game is big for me so we can improve in every area."

Havre plays Hardin on Friday at 4 p.m. at Sixth Avenue Memorial Field. They then play Glendive on Saturday at 2 p.m.