Havre softball hopes to finally get season started

After several weeks of delays, the Havre High softball team is hoping to finally begin the season this weekend with the Fergus Tournament in Lewistown. Frigid weather has prevented the Blue Ponies from playing at all this spring, so HHS head coach Tony Vigliotti looks forward to finally seeing his players compete this weekend.

"It's going to be nice to get outside and get our feet on some dirt and our feet on some grass and get some live at bats," Vigliotti said. "We're really just looking to go out and compete. It's been a tough spring for everybody so everybody's in the same boat with not being outside much."

The Fergus Tournament was supposed to start today, but the fields were not ready for competition. The plan now is to start the Fergus Tournament Friday, but plans could change if the fields are still not ready.

If they are able to, the Ponies would start the tournament Friday at 9:45 a.m. with a contest against Livingston. Just like the Ponies, Livingston has not been able to play this season because of lingering wintery weather so it is anybody's guess what they have to offer as an opponent.

"I'm not sure that anybody really knows what they have for sure yet," Vigliotti said.

The Ponies will then wrap up the tournament Friday at 3 p.m. with a game against Hardin. Just like Livingston, Vigliotti is not sure what to expect from Hardin since that team also has not played yet this spring.

Many Ponies will look to carry over their performance from last season into this spring. Avery Carlson and Elle Verploegen should get some time pitching this weekend for the Ponies. Along with Carlson, Havre batters such as Molly Huse, Lizzi Haney and Danni Wirtzberger are itching to finally get a chance to swing at the ball this weekend.

After several weeks of delays, the Ponies would be happy to finally start the 2023 campaign. After winning the Northeast A Divisional last season, the Ponies look to defend their title and advance to state once again. Now that they finally begin the season this weekend, they look forward to seeing where they are at as they prepare for another run.

"(I look forward to) getting ourselves into some actual game situations so that as we move forward and get going in our season, we know where we're at and what we need to work on," Vigliotti said. "This group of girls loves to go out and compete so it's cool to start this weekend and see where we're at."

The HHS softball team hopes to play on Friday against Livingston at 9:45 a.m. and then Hardin at 3 p.m.