Blue Pony fastpitch team thumps Browning

The Havre High softball program's schedule has been subject to all kinds of changes in the last couple of weeks, but on the road on Tuesday, the Blue Ponies finally got a proper start to their season.

Playing in Browning on Tuesday, the Central A Ponies took on the conference rival Indians. It was the first game for the Ponies since the four they played at the Great Falls Jamboree in Great Falls at the end of last month, but the Ponies came out strong. The Ponies defeated the Indians 17-3 in seven innings, giving the Ponies a 1-0 conference and 1-0 overall record to start the season.

And the Ponies earned the win with all around good play from all over the lineup.

Freshman, and left handed pitcher Rachel Majers got the start in the circle, and made her varsity softball debut doing so. She pitched all seven innings, and allowed just two hits while striking out 10 and walking three. She proved she could handle the varsity spotlight, and will hopefully pan out to be part of the Blue Pony rotation this season.

"This was her first time in a varsity uniform," Havre High head coach Mike Thill said. "She found herself in several jams, but was able to work her way out of them. She threw a lot of strikes and just did a real nice job under pressure in a varsity lineup I think. Hopefully we can bring her a long slowly, get her a little work each week, get her more comfortable and build her into sometime of rotation."

But the remainder of the Ponies played well also, both on offense with the bats, and on defense.

Davee McLeod led the offense with a 3-of-4 batting performance, while Mary Lyons was 3-of-5. Harlee Boucher also made her varsity debut, and played extremely well on first base, while also going 2-of-3 up to bat. McLeod also had two RBIs and a triple, while Morgan Mazurkiewicz, also had a triple, finishing 1-of-3.

"The whole team played a good game I think, on offense and defense," Thill said. "Everybody pitched in and did their part to help out, and we got good play from all the girls, including four freshman who were in the lineup."

The Ponies have a short turnaround and a busy weekend. Thursday, in non league play, the Ponies are back in action, hosting the Conrad Cowgirls at 4:30 p.m. at the Sixth Avenue Memorial field in Havre. The Ponies will move onto the Columbia Falls on Saturday for more non league play.