The Havre Blue Ponies picked up a first round victory in the State Class A Softball tournament on Thursday, over the Lockwood Lions.
The Lions led things off with a 2 run first inning, to which Havre responded with plating a run of their own. Lockwood put three runs across in the 2nd inning, but the Ponies found their footing, tying things up by adding 4 runs to the board in the bottom of the inning. Havre added another run to lead 6-5 in the third, which Lockwood reclaimed in the fourth for another tie.. The Blue Ponies popped off for another 4 scores in the bottom of the fourth, which would secure the lead for the rest of the game. The Lions cut the lead by one after the fifth inning, then Havre added a 2 run spurt in the 6th to pad their lead. Lockwood managed to scrape one more run into the books, falling short for a 12-8 Havre victory.
In other opening rounds, Dillon shut down East Helena 11-0, Columbia Falls rolled over Hamilton 16-2, and Billings Central defeated Stevensville 5-2. Second round match ups from those games put Dillon against Polson, Columbia Falls facing Laurel, and Billings Central taking on Lewistown.
The Blue Ponies advanced to face the Frenchtown Broncs later in the evening. The game was a battle, with 5 scoreless innings. Frenchtown finally struck in the 6th inning, racking up 4 runs. The Lady Ponies managed to put a run on the board in the 7th, but after the final out, it remained 4-1 for the Frenchtown victory.
Other second round games saw Polson clip Dillon 5-4, Laurel edge past Columbia Falls 6-5, and Lewistown rout Billings Central 12-1.
Friday will start off with Dillon vs Stevensville and Columbia Falls facing Lockwood in elimination play, followed with loser out games with Billings Central against East Helena and Havre squaring off with Hamilton. Quarterfinal games will see Polson meeting Laurel, while Lewistown and Frenchtown lock horns.
Stay tuned to New Media Broadcasters for more coverage from the State Class A Softball tournament.
