Northstars split in Lethbridge, head to Lewistown tourney

The Havre Northstars American Legion baseball team has another busy week ahead of it, but before taking part in the Harold Gjerde Tournament in Lewistown this weekend, the Northstars went north of the border for a Northern A district doubleheader Tuesday.

Havre met Lethbridge for the first time this season and while the Northstars nearly swept the Miners on the road, they traveled back to the United States with an important split, winning the second game 8-5 after dropping the first matchup 9-8.

Tony Antley took the mound for the first game of the doubleheader for the Northstars and he was given the loss after leaving in the fifth inning when the Miners plated five runs. Antley didn't get an out in the fifth, so he pitched a total of four innings allowing six runs on six hits. He was defeated by Tate Pearce who pitched a complete-game but surrendered eight runs to Havre, which got four hits, a run and an RBI from Quinn Reno. Ethan Roberts also had three hits as the Northstars finished with 13 total in the loss. Tyrel Kjersem added two hits and drove in two runs but it wasn't enough to overcome a three-run deficit Lethbridge built after the five-run fifth.

However, in the second game, the Northstars used a big inning of their own, scoring six runs in the top of the fourth, to win 8-5. Antley had the biggest hit of the inning as he doubled to center, scoring two runs and pushing the lead to 7-1. The Northstars eventually went up by as many as seven runs. McKay, who got the start, earned the win after striking out seven in just over three innings of work. He allowed four runs on two hits. Trenton Maloughney got the save after pitching an inning and two-thirds. He struck out three and allowed just one hit as he helped stem a comeback attempt by the Miners. Roberts and Reno each had two hits in the win. Antley added two RBIs.

Havre (11-5, 5-3) will now turn its attention to the Harold Gjerde Tournament in Lewistown. The Norhtstars opened play this morning against Livingston (10 a.m.) followed by another game this evening against Tri-County at 6 p.m. The eight-team tournament features two divisions and also included in Havre's division are the Miles City Mavericks and Gallatin Valley Outlaws. Havre will play Miles City Friday at 6 p.m. and Gallatin Valley Saturday at 3:30 p.m. The two division winners will meet for the championship Sunday.

"We are going to see some good ball clubs," Northstars head coach Patch Wirtzberger said. "Gallatin Valley is always one of the stronger teams in the state and Miles City and Livingston should be good squads, as well. We've already seen Tri-County and I know they will be improved. This will be a good week to see where we are at not just in our district but in the state."

The Northstars will head into the weekend on a roll as they have won six of their last seven games but with some of the top teams in the Legion A ball set to be in attendance, it will be another test for a team trying to figure out where it stands in the Northern A district.

"We need to keep improving on the little things," Wirtzberger said. "These guys are starting to reach the surface of their potential and to keep building in the right direction they need to focus on the basic fundamentals of the game."

The team will be back in Havre next Wednesday when the Northstars will host the Lewistown Redbirds in a Northern A doubleheader. First pitch is set for 5 p.m.

Lethbridge 9, Havre 8

Havre 002 311 1 - 8 13 2

Lethbridge 031 050 x - 9 11 3

WP - Tate Pearce

LP - Tony Antley

Havre - Ethan Roberts 3-4, Quinn Reno 4-4, Tony Antley 0-2, Carson Lunak 1-1, Tyrel Kjersem 2-4, Austin Delarosa 0-4, Kennedy McKay 1-4, Kelden Sullivan 0-4, Hunter Lovenguth 1-4, Eli Cloninger 1-4.

Havre 8, Lethbridge 5

Havre 101 600 0 - 8 8 1

Lethbridge 100 301 0 x - 5 3 2

WP - Kennedy McKay

LP - Ethan Smith

Havre - Ethan Roberts 2-2, Quinn Reno 2-4, Tony Antley 1-4, Austin Delarosa 1-3, Kelden Sullivan 1-4, Tyrel Kjsersem 0-4, Eli Cloninger 0-3, Caden Jenkins 0-2, Hunter Lovenguth 1-1, Trent Maloughney 0-3.