North Stars begin three-game home stand

It has been a while since the Havre North Stars American Legion baseball club had their last home stand, but the return home doesn’t make the competition any easier.

Tonight, the North Stars will return to Legion Field in Havre for one non-conference game against the Great Falls Bolts at 6 p.m. The North Stars will remain at home for a conference doubleheader on Sunday as well. Sunday, the North Stars will host Medicine Hat, game one will begin at 1 p.m. But remaining in conference play, the North Stars will also face another tough rival Monday as they will take to the road and face Tri-County.

Nearly a week-and-a-half ago, the North Stars recorded their first win of the season, defeating the Bolts in Great Falls 8-4. The matchup was supposed to be a doubleheader, but instead, was rained out. Facing the Bolts again tonight will allow the North Stars to hopefully record another win, but more importantly, continue to grow and get better.

“It is always good to see some competition that is around our level,” North Stars head coach Danny Wirtzberger said. “And this helps our confidence when we get these at bats, or when we are in the field; we know they aren’t going to rock them right at us. But they are a pretty good team, they have some big kids, and have some kids who can throw hard. They are no slouch, but this will be like any other nonconference game; we will be looking to get better.”

Wetzel took the mound against the North Stars last time around, and proved the Bolts have a talented roster. Wetzel can also swing the bat, as can players like Linn.

But facing the Bolts, followed by Medicine Hat, then Tri-County, the North Stars know they have to play well for the next four days.

Havre is getting better, but they are still relying on a lot of 16-year-olds. The goal is to still get better, but the North Stars are also trying to put complete games together on a consistent basis. Coach Wirtzberger said his players are still learning to be North Star baseball players, and still learning what it means to be a successful Legion baseball player.

“We have a lot of big games coming up,” Wirtzberger said. “So, hopefully, we can get them in. For conference games we try to get our best players on the field, and we really compete for a win.”

The weather is questionable, with a lot of rain in the forecast over the weekend. But needing, and wanting to get theconference games under their belts, the North Stars know they have to play well if they get the chance to play.

Tyrell Pierce and Dane Warp have been standouts on the mound so far this year, and need to carry the load moving forward. Pierce will most likely be saved and take the mound against Medicine Hat and Tri-County, while Warp will miss Sunday’s games but will be ready for Monday’s. And while they hold things down from the mound, Gavin Gunderson and Thurman Holdsclaw will need to continue to swing the bats well. Shortstop Travis Roth has also been an anchor for the defense, and will need to help keep the North Stars’ error count down.

Both Medicine Hat and Tri-County are talented teams. They don’t make too many mistakes, and they will take advantage of mistakes by the opposition.

“If we have a bunch of errors,” Wirtzberger said, “there is no doubt in my mind that we will lose these games. But if we come together and work hard, and play error, and mentally error free baseball, we can win some games.”

Tonight the North Stars will face the Bolts at 6 p.m. at Legion Field. They will face Medicine Hat at 1 p.m. on Sunday.