Streaking Ponies crush Scotties on the road

After a walk-off win over Lewistown on their senior night Friday, the Havre High softball team now heads on a three-game road trip to finish the regular season. They started off the road trip on the right foot Tuesday night when they defeated Glasgow, 15-2, after a slow start.

“It would have been easy for us coming off an emotional win on Friday night, just taking things for granted but we came out and played well,” said HHS head coach Tony Vigliotti. “We just keep getting better putting the ball in play and making plays. Nice win for us.”

The win gave Havre a series sweep of Glasgow this season after they defeated the Scotties, 13-3, last month. While the Ponies improved to 11-3-1 this season, this was a nonconference game so the Ponies still remain tied with Lewistown for first in the Northeast A with a 5-1 conference record.

After a scoreless first inning, the Ponies got on the scoreboard first in the top of the second inning. With runners on first and third, Lexi Haney hit a triple to center field to give Havre a 2-0 lead. The lead was short-lived however as the Scotties struck back in the bottom of the third when Daley Aune doubled to center field to drive in two runs to tie the game, 2-2.

Havre took control of the game in the top of the fourth when they scored 10 runs to take a 12-2 lead. The Ponies took the lead in the third when Quinn McDonald scored on a fielder’s choice. Danni Wirtzberger then hit a three-run home run to left field to give Havre a 6-2 lead. Jocelyn Staples, Alyssa Oliver and Ellie Collins all recorded hits to drive in runs in the inning to build a 12-2 lead.

“We just needed to see their pitcher one time through the lineup,” Vigliotti said. “Then we started having some better at-bats, keeping our weight back and swinging at better pitches and putting the ball in play.”

The Ponies extended their lead to 15-2 in the top of the fifth when Oliver hit a three-run home run to right field. Havre then kept Glasgow off the scoreboard for the rest of the game to win it early in five innings.

Many Havre batters had strong days at the plate. Oliver went 4-for-4 from the plate to drive in a team-leading six RBIs in the game. Haney and Wirtzberger also contributed on the scoreboard by driving in three runs each while Collins recorded two hits to drive in two runs. Oliver and McDonald also ran the bases well as they led the team with four runs scored each.

Avery Carlson started the game for the Ponies and pitched the first two innings. After she allowed two runs in the third inning, Havre put in Haney to pitch the last three innings of the game. She struck out three batters and allowed three hits, two walks and no runs in her relief appearance.

“Avery struggled a little bit in that third inning so we went out and talked to her and just decided we’d make the switch,” Vigliotti said. “Lexi came in and threw a strike, got us out of a little jam in that inning and then we just took off from there. Lexi did a great job.”

The Ponies will finish up their regular season with games on the road at Glendive and Sidney later this week. Havre will then return home for the Northeast A Divisional beginning on May 21. With little time left before the postseason, Vigliotti believes his team is looking strong.

“I like where we’re at as a team,” Vigliotti said. “These guys just continue to get better each time out. They learn something each time out and we just got to keep doing what we’re doing as we wind down here and head towards the postseason.”

The Ponies will play at Glendive this Thursday at 3 p.m. before finishing their regular season at Sidney Saturday at 3 p.m.

Havre 15, Glasgow 2

Havre 0 2 0 10 3 X X - 15 16 0

Glasgow 0 0 2 0 0 X X - 2 4 0

WP - Lexi Haney

LP - Brielle Partridge

Havre Batting - Avery Carlson 0-3, Lizzi Haney 2-4, Jocelyn Staples 2-4, Sam Lovenguth 1-3, Quinn McDonald 2-3, Alyssa Oliver 4-4, Lexi Haney 2-3, Ellie Collins 2-4, Danni Wirtzberger 1-2.