North Stars begin long road trip in Three Forks

The Havre American Legion baseball team is heading into another tournament filled weekend, and with some tough competition in store for the North Stars, they will also get a second chance at some familiar faces.

Friday through Sunday, the North Stars will take to the road for the Galllatin Valley tournament in Three Forks.

While at the tournament the North Stars will face the Gallatin Valley Outlaws (Southern A) the Lewistown Redbirds (Eastern A) the Butte Muckers (Southern A), the Glendive Blue Devils (Eastern A) and the Bitterroot Red Sox (Western A).

"This should be another competitive weekend for sure," Havre head coach Steve Fanning said. "We got a few wins (last) weekend and we want to keep getting better and we want to go down there and at least get three or four wins. That would definitely be good for us." The Red Sox are one of the top teams in the state this year and should be a solid test for the North Star squad.

The Redbirds and Muckers are also very talented ball clubs and should make for a couple of good matchups.

But Havre is really setting its sights on both the Outlaws and Blue Devils this weekend.

Just last weekend at the North Stars Memorial Tournament both the Blue Devils and Outlaws earned wins over the host North Stars at Legion Field. The Blue Devils dominated Havre 18-8, and later in the weekend Havre gave up a 3-2 lead, which resulted in a 7-3 North Star loss to the Outlaws.

The Outlaws always give the North Stars a good game, but this time around the North Stars feel like they gave that game away. And when they face off once again this weekend, the North Stars are hoping to play better and turn the tables.

But redemption is also on the line as Havre also gears up to face the Outlaws this weekend.

"After losing a game like we did to Glendive (last) weekend," Fanning said. "You definitely want to look at that and come out and show you are a better team. We know that we can compete with that team and we know that we can beat that team." For the North Stars to find any success this weekend they have to play to the level of competition they will be facing. And with the five squads on tap for the North Stars, the level of competition is going to be very high.

Pitching will be key. And whether it's Roman Surber, Kyle Miller, Brandon Smith, Justin Jensen or any other Havre pitcher on the mound, they have to have good outings without allowing a lot of runs.

And offensively and defensively, the North Stars are still looking for consistency. They can't hurt themselves with errors on defense, and they have to find a way to get on base on offense. Bryaden Grimson has caught fire for the North Stars as of late, batting over .400 in his last six games.

The North Stars are also producing as a team, averaging close to 11 hits and eight runs per outing during that stretch. However, consistency is the key, as Havre has also had its down games at the plate in that stretch.

"When we have good pitching we know we have a shot at winning any ballgame," Fanning said. "And If we put it all together we know we are a good team, we just have to keep working at that." Fanning isn't looking for any one person to step up ad have a good weekend.

It's going to take a team effort for Havre to find any success, but they know if they play well they stand a chance in any ballgame.

"We always try to say that it's one through nine," Fanning said "We've had some guys leading the way all year and we've had other guys go on hot and cold streaks. But we need for everybody to just play well together for us to be successful." The North Stars will begin their five-game stretch Friday in Three Forks. Havre will be in Three Forks through Sunday. Havre also has a sixgame road trip in Canada next week and doesn't plat at home again until June 28.