Three players from the Havre softball team are not done repping the Blue Ponies. This weekend, pitcher Elle Verploegen, center fielder Jersi Morse, and catcher Camille Keeley will play at the Veterans Memorial Softball Classic in Belgrade, where the best softball players gather for a five-team tournament to honor heroes that served our country.
Havre softball coach Tony Vigliotti took the time to commend his three star players and had some encouraging words ahead of the two-day showdown.
“I think it says a lot about them, first of all,” Vigliotti said. “I’m awful proud of them. (They were) leaders on our team this past season.”
“I think it speaks a little bit to their consistency. They’ve all earned it,” Vigliotti continued. “Jersi did a great job in center field for us the last couple of years. Elle won the bulk of our softball games in the circle for us. Camille is steady behind the plate.”
“(I’m) happy for them,” Vigliotti said. “It’s something that they earned and they deserve to be there with the best softball players in the state.”
For Verploegen and Morse, it will be the last time representing the team that they gave offseasons, days, and nights for. Verploegen told New Media Broadcasters that while honoring the best softball players in the state, there is a more overarching reach that comes with suiting up this weekend.
“The tournament in general means a lot to me because you’re honoring not only us softball players, but the veterans who have served our country and the active-duty service members as well,” Verploegen said.
“It’s really cool for me because I have who have served,” Verploegen continued. “It’s great that I get to honor them this year in the ‘Recognition Ceremony’ before the softball tournament as well.”
Morse agreed and also stated that it’s an opportunity to play with her senior teammate Verploegen one last time as well as meet her college roommate.
“It is an honor, honestly,” Morse said. “I think I had a pretty good season this year in center field.”
“Being with everyone else, I know quite a few girls that are going to be there,” Morse continued. “My college roommate is actually going to be there, so I’m excited to meet her in person for the first time.”
“(I’m) excited I’m on Elle’s team, so I get to play with her for one more time,” Morse said.
There is a dynamic that will play out at this year’s classic that was not available last year. Morse brought up the fact that during the 2023 Veterans Memorial Classic, Verploegen and Keeley were teammates and they would do everything possible to strike her out when she was at the plate. However, this year will be different as Verploegen and Morse will be on the team that represents the Coast Guard, while Keeley joins Team Navy.
Morse discussed how she feels about her teammate Verploegen trying to get her teammate Keeley out in a potential matchup.
“At the end of the day, it’s just a game,” Morse said. “If Camille strikes out, if she hits a home run, honestly, it doesn’t really matter.”
“Elle was pitching to me last year when we played. Camille was right behind me,” Morse continued. “I think it’s still kind of funny in a sense, no matter what. I think it’s good that we’re all split up.”
Keeley praised her Blue Pony teammate after three seasons of being her catcher, but said her goal is to still find a way to win the matchup.
“(Elle) is an amazing pitcher,” Keeley said. “I think she’s earned it since her sophomore year when she started pitching a lot.”
“I’ve just seen her grow as a pitcher since my freshman year. It’s amazing,” Keeley continued. “I’m excited to go against her, but I know she will go for my weaknesses and it’s just how it happens.”
“It’s all in good fun, but we’re all here to win, of course,” Keeley said.
Verploegen returned the favor, offering kind words back and played out how the walk up to the batter’s box will go for Keeley before saying how she was going to get her out.
“Knowing (Camille) and our communication between each other, it’ll be pretty funny when she steps up there,” Verploegen said.
“We’ll have a little laugh or giggle before, but as soon as she steps in that batter’s box, I’ll try and go for her weaknesses,” Verploegen continued.
“Camille is a great hitter, so keeping her off the plate will be the goal,” Verploegen said. “It’ll be fun, definitely. We’ll see how it goes.”
Verploegen, Keeley, and Morse will be back for the 2024 Veterans Memorial Classic, which will take place on Friday and Saturday in Belgrade.
