Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Avery Carlson, Havre High Softball

At the end of the Havre High girls basketball season, the Blue Ponies once again found themselves as the Class A state champions. Junior Avery Carlson was a key force on the championship run as a starter and an All-State player for the Ponies.

Now however, as the HHS softball season begins, Carlson hopes to carry that success onto the diamond.

"(The state titles) definitely helped me understand how to play under pressure and to compete under pressure," Carlson said.

This season, Carlson will look to step up to become the primary pitcher for the Ponies. Carlson served as the No. 2 pitcher for the Ponies last season behind Lexi Haney. As the new ace pitcher, Carlson is ready to make her presence felt on the mound.

"Those are definitely big shoes to fill but I'm excited. I like to be challenged," Carlson said. "I feel like it's going to be really fun. I have a good support system behind me, too, so I think we'll be pretty successful."

Thanks to her father, softball has been a huge part of Carlson's life. Just like many batters at a young age, she started with T-ball and worked her way up from there. She and her father would often go down to the field and work on her game. Over the years of her softball career, Carlson has enjoyed working with all of her teammates to get the job done.

"The thing I love the most about this sport is it's super team oriented," Carlson said. "I really like how everybody has a role to play and that every single person contributes in some way."

The HHS softball team is coming off a strong season last year. The Ponies went 15-6-1 and finished second in the Northeast A Divisionals to qualify for state. As a sophomore last year, Carlson made her favorite softball memory with a walk-off RBI against Hardin during the regular season.

There is little offseason for Carlson as she competes in volleyball, basketball and softball through the year for the Ponies. When she does get free time, Carlson just likes to spend time with her friends.

The Ponies return to the diamond this weekend as they head on the road for a conference game against Miles City. Before Carlson gets on the mound for the Ponies for the first time this spring, the Havre Daily News got the chance to ask her five questions.

HDN: What do you look forward to about this upcoming softball season?

Carlson: "I'm looking forward to a new team. This is a brand new team. We graduated a lot of seniors last year so it'll be a new dynamic and it's going to be really fun."

HDN: What's the hardest thing about pitching?

Carlson: "It's definitely the mental part. I struggled with that a lot, but I think as I'm getting older it's getting a little easier. Once you start digging yourself in a rut, it's only you out there so you got to work yourself back up."

HDN: Out of all the sports you play, which is your favorite?

Carlson: "Basketball. I really like the pace of basketball. I also really like the success we've had in the past so that really adds to the enjoyment."

HDN: How do you handle being a multi-sport athlete?

Carlson: "I love sports. There's nothing else I'd rather be doing than sports otherwise I'd be sitting around. For the school aspect, I have really good teachers that help me, help us and really work with us, especially around our athletics."

HDN: Do you happen to have a favorite athlete?

Carlson: "I really look up to Kyndall Keller. She played here for Havre High a few years back. She's just a great role model for me. She really showed me what it means to be a winner."