Blue Pony softball aims to build of last year's divisional title

While cold weather does not make it seem like spring, that will not stop the Havre High softball team as it gears up for its new season. After winning the Northeast A Divisional title last year and returning many good players from that team, HHS head coach Tony Vigliotti believes the Blue Ponies are ready to run it back this spring.

"We expect to compete in the Northeast A again," Vigliotti said. "We lost two good seniors last year, but we got a lot of returners back so we're just going to go out and compete."

The Ponies return several key players from that divisional champion team. Avery Carlson returns to both pitch and bat for the Ponies. Molly Huse returns for her senior year as she looks to continue excelling at the plate. Fellow seniors Lizzi Haney, Danni Wirtzberger and Hannah Gingery should fill out a strong batting lineup for the Ponies.

Outside of their seniors, the Ponies have several players that can make a significant impact this spring. Elle Verploegen returns to be a reliable pitcher for the Ponies. Vigliotti also expects Jersi More to have a bigger role this season.

When the Ponies get on the diamond this spring, they will not have had as much time they would have liked outdoors. With frigid weather, the Ponies have had to practice indoors so far this spring. While it has been unfortunate not getting outdoors yet, the Ponies have not used that as an excuse.

"Right now, everybody's getting lots of fundamentals, we're picking up a lot of ground balls, doing that the right way and we're getting lots of swings in the cages and off the machine," Vigliotti said. "Right now, it's really been concentrating on fundamentals, fundamentals, fundamentals and getting those reps that we need."

The Ponies should finally get on the field this Saturday when they compete in the Billings Central Jamboree. The Ponies will then begin their conference schedule on April 1 with a doubleheader at home against Miles City. The following weekend, the Ponies will compete in the Fergus Tournament in Lewistown.

On April 15, the Ponies will compete in a doubleheader against Lockwood and Hardin in Lockwood. Then, on April 21, the Ponies will head on the road to face Sidney in a conference game. The following day, the Ponies will head to Glendive for a doubleheader against the Red Devils.

On April 25, the Ponies will host Lewistown for a conference game. A few days later, the Ponies will compete in the Frenchtown Tournament. The Ponies will then host their final home game when they face Sidney on May 6.

The Ponies will wrap up the regular season with the Laverne Tournament in Butte from May 12-13. The Ponies will begin the postseason with the Divisional Tournament in Billings starting on May 17. If they advance, the Ponies would wrap up the year with the State Tournament in Belgrade starting on May 25.

The Ponies will be looking to build off the recent success of the program. Last spring, the Ponies broke through to win the Northeast A Divisional title. As they return to the diamond this spring, Vigliotti expects the Ponies to continue working hard and add to their success.

"It's a great group of kids. They love to compete," Vigliotti said. "They know what it means to compete and we're hoping that they'll bring that to the softball program like they have the last couple of years."

The HHS softball team will begin the season with the Billings Central Jamboree in Billings this Saturday.