News you can use

Ponies eager to get Eagles on the diamond

The Havre High softball team is going to give it one more try. And when it comes to facing off against the Lewistown Golden Eagles, the Blue Ponies are hoping the third time's the charm. Twice already this season, contests between the Central A rivals have been canceled and rescheduled because of less than favorable weather. But today the Ponies (9-5, 5-2) and Eagles will try their luck one more time, this time in Havre at the Six Avenue Memorial Softball Field for an evening doubleheader. The Ponies' junior varsity squad will also face the Eagles today, getting underway at 3 p.m. And the varsity programs will follow, starting game one at 5 p.m. Game two is scheduled for 6:30, but may start earlier as it will get going immediately following game one. With the nasty storms wreaking havoc on Montana's spring sports, the Ponies are excited to get back on the field. HHS was scheduled to face Browning on Monday after being snowed out on April 30, but instead earned their second forfeit win from the Indians. And in the last 17 days the Ponies have played just one game, leaving the Pony squad chomping at the bit to take the field. "It should be a good day for softball," Havre High head coach Bob Evans said. "We are excited to play, and I think the girls are ready to play. We need to get these Lewistown games out of the way and they are some games we need to win. The girls are pumped up and ready to play." With the forfeit win over the Indians, the Blue Ponies now hold a 5-2 conference record. It put the Ponies in prime position to make the postseason, but there is still work to be done. "We need to beat Lewistown," Evans said. "There is no doubt about that. We should get at least one win, but if we play as well as we can we should be able to win both. But I think if we win one of the two it should put us in the state tournament." Clinching a spot at state would be huge for the Ponies. With a handful of games still left on their schedule, they would play out the remainder of their season more relaxed. And it would also relieve pressure as well as give the Ponies the opportunity to make adjustments and give more girls varsity minutes. Freshmen Roxanna Jensen and Davee McLeod will get the call today to move up, and may play key roles for the Ponies as utility players. They could come off the bench as pinch runners, pinch hitters and may even get time in the field. "I hope we can get them some playing time," Evans said. "Both girls run the bases well and may even come in as pinch hitters. It's just nice to have them on the bench, we can use these girls and it just makes us a better ball club when we can have extra players that we can bring in and out." If the Ponies hope to get a win or even two wins, the game plan remains the same. Simply put, when Abigail Ita and Tabitha Myers take the mound tonight they have to throw strikes. They have to get the ball in play, and the Pony defense has to make the plays. HHS has to get outs and not give up walks. "I think that's all we have to do against Lewistown is go out and make them put the ball in play every batter," Evans said. "We can't afford to walk a bunch of people, our pitchers have to come in and throw strikes and make our defense make some plays." Today the Havre junior varsity will play at 3. And the HHS varsity will host the Lewistown Eagles at 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the Sixth Avenue Memorial Softball Field.

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 
Rendered 03/03/2024 09:58