Havre softball finishes third at Eastern A

Another season, another trip to the Class A state tournament for the Havre High softball team.

Last weekend, head coach Tony Vigliotti's team placed third at the Eastern A Divisional softball tournament in Billings.

The Blue Ponies started the weekend with a 7-6 win over Livingston to advance in the winner's bracket, but then, Havre dropped a crazy, 19-18 loss to Laurel, in what was a walk-off win for the Locomotives.

The 1-1 record on Friday did clinch a berth at state for the Ponies, but they wanted more.

On Saturday, Havre knocked out rival Lewistown with an 8-3 win. Elle Verploegen was in the circle once again as she struck out 10 Golden Eagles in a complete game. Havre was able to help her out before she even took the field as her teammates knocked in four runs in the top of the first inning. After the first three batters reached base, catcher Camille Keeley drove in two with the next two runs coming on a fielder's choice and a passed ball.

Both teams traded runs in the middle innings and after a Eagles comeback in the fifth that had them down, Jersi Morse hit a two-run home run in the next inning. She then doubled to bring in a run in the seventh to cap off her three-hit and three-RBI outing. Keeley also recorded three hits in the win.

Havre then moved on to the consolation game where the Ponies beat Glendive 11-1. Keeley hit two homers, while Rachel Jette and Brenna Hanson also had a big outing.

Now, the Ponies will move on to the Class A state tournament, which runs Thursday-Saturday in Billings. Havre will be the No. 3 seed from East.