Northstars take care of business on Fourth of July

While many on the Hi-Line celebrated the Fourth of July with fireworks and barbecues, the Havre Northstars American Legion baseball club celebrated our nation's birthday with a doubleheader against the Lewistown Redbirds on the road Tuesday night. The Northstars had to battle, but they pulled off a 3-2 win and a 3-1 victory to sweep the conference games.

The Northstars started their night with a 3-2 victory over the Redbirds. After a scoreless first inning to start the game, the Northstars took the lead in the top of the second inning. After hitting a single to get on base, Ezra Pyle scored on an error to give Havre the lead. Later in the inning with a runner on second base, Drake Berreth hit a double to center field to drive in the run for a 2-0 lead.

The Redbirds eventually responded in the bottom of the third. Thanks to a Havre error, a runner scored to get Lewistown on the board. A hit then drove in another runner to tie the game 2-2.

Both teams struggled to score over the next few innings as the game remained tied heading to the top of the sixth. Colter Solomon got on base with a single to center to start the inning. Solomon then made his way to third thanks to a double from Berreth. Solomon then scored on a passed ball to give Havre a 3-2 lead.

The Northstars held the Redbirds scoreless the rest of the way to win the game. Brody Nanini started the game on the mound as he earned the win with six strikeouts, three walks given up, seven hits allowed and one earned run. Solomon also made an impact on the mound as he earned the save, pitching the last 0.2 innings.

While the Northstars had trouble putting runs up on the board, some players still had strong starts to the night at the plate. Pyle made an impact going 3-3 and he scored a run. Berreth went 3-4 with the lone RBI for the Northstars.

The Northstars finished off the night with their 3-1 win over Lewistown. It was the Redbirds who struck first as they took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second. But the Northstars were not rattled.

After struggling to score through most of the game, the Northstars finally got rolling in the top of the fifth. After Kale Reno walked to open the inning, Conner McKay hit a single to left to drive in the run to tie the game. Jevin Jenkins then hit a home run to left to give Havre a 3-2 lead.

The Northstars continued to play strong defense as they held Lewistown scoreless the rest of the way. Tanner Delarosa pitched a complete game as he allowed five hits, one runs and recorded six strikeouts. Reno, Jenkins and McKay each went 1-3 at the plate.

With the conference sweep, the Northstars have improved their record to 30-15-1 this season. They have been playing some strong ball lately has they have now gone 14-2 in their last 16 games.

The Havre Northstars will look to stay hot when they play in the Glendive Legion Tournament in Glendive starting this Friday.

Havre 3, Lewistown 2

HAV 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 - 3 8 3

LEW 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 - 2 7 3

WP - Brody Nanini

LP - W. Elam

Havre Batting

Drake Berreth 3-4, Kale Reno 0-4, Brody Nanini 0-3, Conner McKay 1-4, Jevin Jenkins 0-3, Ezra Pyle 3-3, Chason Mader 0-2, Logan Kinsella 0-3, Colter Solomon 1-3.

Havre 3, Lewistown 1

HAV 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 - 3 4 0

LEW 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 - 1 5 2

WP - Tanner Delarosa

LP - T. Sparks

Havre Batting

Drake Berreth 0-4, Kale Reno 1-3, Brody Nanini 0-3, Conner McKay 1-3, Jevin Jenkins 1-3, Ezra Pyle 1-3, Chason Mader 0-3, Colter Solomon 0-1, Tyson Brandon 0-3.