North Stars split in Conrad

The Havre North Stars American Legion baseball club got back to work Monday afternoon. And it was a rollercoaster of a ride in the first of three straight days of Northern District play.

Monday in Conrad, the North Stars were beaten by the Tri-County Cardinals 15-5 in the first of two games between the district rivals. But after the five-inning loss, Havre bounced back to beat the Cardinals 12-1 in six innings in the night cap.

The road split put Havre at 5-3 in league play and 15-11 overall. Havre is set to travel to Fort MacLeod and Lethbridge, Alberta today and Wednesday, respectively.

In the loss to the Cardinals Monday, hits weren’t the North Stars’ problem. Havre banged out 10 hits off of Tri-County’s Tanner Mayer. But scoring runs was an issue. The North Stars managed to push just one run across through the first four innings, and though they rallied for four runs in the top of the fifth, it was too little too late.

Meanwhile, stopping Tri-County from scoring runs was a huge issue for the North Stars in the first outing. The Cardinals tortured Havre starter Ryne Antley to the tune of 12 hits and 12 runs in four innings. The Cardinals scored seven runs through the first two innings and finally chased Antley from the game during what turned out to be an 8-run fifth inning. Daniel Miller gave up three more runs in the fifth as the Cardinal bats ended the contest early.

In the loss, David Denny went 3-for-3 with a double, while Chris Vukasin was 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. Tyrell Pierce also drove in a run on a double, while Jake Sedahl was 2-for-3 at the dish.

The opening-game loss was tough on the North Stars, who swept Tri-County two weeks ago in Havre. But in game two, the North Stars turned the tables.

At the plate, Havre belted out 13 hits and saw 12 runners cross the plate, while starter Dylan Carpenter was outstanding on the mound. Carpenter pitched six complete innings, allowing just one run on six Cardinal hits. He also didn’t walk a batter.

But Carpenter got plenty of help from his friends too. After Tri-County went up 1-0 in the first inning, Havre exploded. The North Stars scored 10 runs in the middle innings, plating four in the second, one in the third and five in the fifth. Two more runs in the top of the sixth inning gave Havre the win one inning early.

Sedahl was one of many North Stars to have a huge impact on the Havre offense in game two. He went 3-for-3 with a double and two RBIs, while Jeff Miller drove in four runs on two hits and a triple. From the leadoff spot. Travis Roth went 3-for-5 with an RBI, a sacrifice and a stolen base, while Spencer Ross, Gavin Gunderson, Antley, Pierce and Carpenter all collected hits as well.

Now, with a split in Conrad, Havre embarks on a tough two-day road trip. The North Stars play at Northern District favorite Fort MacLeod tonight in a doubleheader, then take on the Lethbridge Giants in a doubleheader Wednesday in Lethbridge. Havre will be back home to face the Giants July 6.

Tri-County 15, North Stars 5 (5 inn)

Havre 000 14 – 5 10 1

Tri-County 340 08 – 15 15 2

WP – Mayer, LP – Ryne Antley

Havre – Spencer Ross 1-3, Travis Roth 1-2, Jake Sedahl 2-3, David Denny 3-3, Tyrell Pierce 1-2 (2 RBI), Chris Vukasin 2-3 (2 RBI), Chance Pitkanen 0-3, Jeff Miller 0-2, Gavin Gunderson 0-1.

Tri-County – Schmidt 2-3 (2 RBI), Coen 4-4 (3 RBI), Wanner 1-3 (3 RBI), Kitchin 3-3 (3 RBI), Clark 0-3 (RBI), Hawke 1-2, VandenBos 1-3 (RBI), Konen 2-3, Murray 1-2.

North Stars 12, Tri-County 1 (6 inn)

Havre 041 502 – 12 13 1

Tri-County 100 000 – 1 6 1

WP – Dylan Carpenter, LP – Hawke

Havre – Travis Roth 3-5 (RBI), Spencer Ross 1-2, David Denny 0-5, Gavin Gunderson 1-3, Ryne Antley 1-3, Jake Sedahl 3-3 (2 RBI), Chris Vukasin 0-2 (RBI), Tyrell Pierce 1-2 (RBI), Dylan Carpenter 1-1, Jeff Miller 2-4 (4 RBI).

Tri-County – Schmidt 1-3, Coen 1-3, Wanner 1-3, Kitchin 1-3, Clark 0-3, Hawke 0-3, Mayer 1-3, Dunk 0-2, VandenBos 1-1.