North Stars split in Conrad

The Havre North Stars American Legion baseball team played two crucial league games over the weekend, and by the results, it looks as if the North Stars will head into the district tournament as the No. 4 team.

On Saturday the North Stars were on the road, facing the Tri-County Cardinals. Havre hovered around the top of the district all season long, but looks to have landed in the No. 4 spot with several league splits to end the season. On Saturday the North Stars earned yet another split in the doubleheader, losing the first game 6-3, but winning the nightcap 12-5.

The game one loss came against a very talented pitcher in the Cardinals' Scott Bye. Bye also used his offensive skills to hurt the North Stars, scoring four of the teams' six runs. Bye nearly shut down the Havre offense, the three runs not enough to give Justin Jensen the win on the mound for the North Stars.

Jensen did go 2-for-3 at the plate to help his cause, while Tyrell Pierce also highlighted the offense by going 3-for-4.

In the win, the North Star's offense came alive, as Brandon Smith recorded the win on the mound. Pierce had another big game, going 3-for-4, while Gareth Bernard also went 3-fro-4 to pitch in on the 12 run effort. Thurman Holdsclaw also had a good game, going 3-for-5 at the plate.

The two games against the Cardinals were the final regular season games of the year for the North Stars. With the split, the North Stars most likely hold the No. 4 seed heading into the post season, and have a good shot at playing Lethbridge in the first round.

The district tournament will take place on Thursday-Sunday in Medicine Hat.