Northstars invade tough Williston tournament playing good ball

As me move along toward warmer temperatures in the middle of summer, the Havre Northstars American Legion baseball team is nearing the mid-way point in its season, which continues with a busy week ahead.

After hosting the Havre Jamboree last weekend at Legion Field, the Northstars took part in another non-district game Monday night, knocking off the Miles City Outlaws 11-8 in Havre. The win improved Havre's record to 12-9-1 as the Northstars head to Williston, North Dakota, for a tournament that starts tonight against Wahpeton, North Dakota. The first pitch is set for 5:30. Havre will also play Miles City against Friday night at 5:30 and then Black Hills, North Dakota, Saturday morning at 9.

While the Northstars will get a look at some new opponents in Williston, their opponent Friday, Miles City, is the same team that the Northstars beat at Legion Field Monday in a Montana Baseball League contest. Havre jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, when Jake Sedahl bunted and forced an errant throw from the Miles City pitcher, which allowed both Ethan Roberts and Brenden Danielson to score. Tony Antley later grounded out to score Sedahl, making it 3-0 after one inning.

In the bottom of the third, the Northstars added to their lead, as Antley came up with a sacrifice to bring home another run, which was followed by an RBI single by Gavin Mosbrucker. That put Havre in front 5-1. However, the lead evaporated in the top of the fourth inning, as the Outlaws plated six runs against starting pitcher Kennedy McKay to take a 7-5 lead. Yet, it didn't take long for the Northstars to even the score as Sedahl doubled in two runs to tie the game in the bottom of the fourth. Sedahl later scored on a passed ball, giving Havre an 8-7 advantage.

Then, in the bottom of the fifth, Havre added to its lead. First Brendan Garden drew a walk and later scored on a passed ball, making it 9-7. That set the stage for Ethan Roberts, who belted a triple to left field, scoring Trey Murphy and Danielson. Those runs also made the margin 11-7.

From there, McKay went to work. After allowing six runs in the fourth inning, McKay allowed just one more for the rest of the game. When it was finished, he earned a complete-game victory, despite allowing eight earned runs. He also walked eight, but managed to strike out 12. Helping out McKay at the plate was Sedahl, who went 3-for-4 with four RBIs. Roberts also managed two hits, two RBIs and three runs scored, while Antley drove in two runs, despite not getting a hit. Austin Delarosa also added two hits in the win; Mosbrucker and Murphy each finished with one.

Sedahl, who has been on a tear recently at the plate, will lead the Northstars in action Thursday in more non-district competition. The everyday catcher for Havre is currently hitting .478, which is second on the team, while also leading the way with 24 RBIs. He also leads the team with nine extra-base hits. Danielson also continues to wreak havoc at the top of the order, getting on base at a .575 clip and scoring a team-high 27 runs. Roberts has also been hot recently and is batting .373 for the season to go along with 22 runs scored and eight RBIs.

On the mound, the Northstars will continue to use a rotation that features Garden, Danielson, McKay, Antley and Delarosa. Roberts, Mosbrucker and Murphy could also see time on the bump for the Northstars. Havre will play Wahpeton, Miles City and Black Hills in group play Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with the tournament play to follow based on group standings.

The action for the Northstars in Williston will get underway tonight at 5:30.