Sweep: North Stars take two from Royals

With six district games in the span of four days, the Havre North Stars American Legion baseball team knew the importance of sweeping Fort Mac-Leod.

And Saturday night at Legion Field, in the first district home game of the year, the North Stars did what they needed to do, taking two in a doubleheader against the Royals, by the scores of 6-2 and 4-3. Havre, which is now 3-4 overall on the season, is 3-1 in the Northern A district. The North Stars play Lethbridge tonight and Lewistown tomorrow. Both are doubleheaders.

"It's a sweep at home," North Stars head coach Dick Fuzesy said. "Last year we lost two games to this same team by one run, and this year we found a way to get it done."

In the first of two games Saturday, the North Stars scored in the bottom of the first inning, but gave up two runs in the top of the second to fall behind 2-1. Yet, in the bottom of the fourth, Brenden Danielson ripped a double, then later scored on an error, tying the game at 2-2. It wouldn't be his last big hit of the evening.

Calvin White notched an RBI on a sacrifice later in the inning to score Gavin Mosbrucker and put Havre in front 3-2.

Jake Sedahl added another run for the North Stars in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI double and Trey Murphy, who got base hits in the fourth and sixth innings, scored after a single in the bottom of the sixth to make it 5-2. Kelden Sullivan also singled a run in the sixth, to make it 6-2 North Stars. Mosbrucker got the final three outs in the top of the seventh and it was game over.

Sullivan, Danielson and Murphy all got two hits in the win. Sullivan also contributed with an RBI, as did Sedahl, Danielson, Mosbrucker, White and Austin Delarosa.

"I thought we did a better job of hanging back on the curveball," Fuzesy said. "There were some times when they were fighting it off a bit, but they did a much better job. That was something we worked on this week was being more patient."

After allowing two runs in the second inning, Havre starting pitcher Brendan Garden shut down the Royals. He held them scoreless over his last four innings of work. He earned the win and struck out six, while walking just five and giving up seven hits in the process.

After winning the first game against Fort MacLeod, Havre was going for the sweep, but the Royals weren't going to make it easy, as they scored two runs in the top of the first to grab a 2-0 lead. The North Stars answered with a run in the bottom of the second, but another Fort MacLeod run in the top of the third, made it 3-1 Royals.

However, in the bottom of the third inning, Danielson hit a two-run home run out of the park to tie the game at 3-3. From that point on, the North Stars had the momentum. In the bottom of the fifth, they continued to build on it. Garden drew a walk and then after an extra-base hit, he scored on a passed ball and Havre led 4-3.

"That was a big swing by Danielson," Fuzesy said. "He tied the game with one swing of the bat, so that was huge. That was the first time anyone (North Stars) has hit one out of the park since I have been the head coach."

Delarosa, who allowed three runs on five hits in five solid innings as the starter, was taken out and gave way to Mosbrucker in the sixth. Soon though, the bases were loaded. Yet, thanks to a great defensive play in center field by Ethan Roberts and a diving tag by Tony Antley to register the third out, Havre escaped the jam.

In the top of the seventh, Mosbrucker completed the six-out save by catching a hard-hit, line drive right back at him.

"It felt pretty good catching it," Mosbrucker said. "I just kind of reacted and made the play."

Sullivan had two hits again for the North Stars, while Roberts, Sedahl, Danielson, Murphy and Garden all finished with one. Danielson had two RBIs, Garden finished the game with one. Delarosa and Mosbrucker combined to allow seven hits. Delarosa got the win, Mosbrucker was credited with the save.

"Every single person contributed in that second game," Fuzesy said. "We made some big plays defensively. Delarosa, he pitched a great game and Mosbrucker came in and closed it out. That's what we need to keep doing though, if we can sweep at home and find a way to win at least one on the road, we will be in good shape."

Havre plays Lethbridge tonight at 5:30 p.m. The North Stars will also play Lewistown Tuesday at 5 p.m.

Havre 6, Fort MacLeod 2

Fort MacLeod 020 000 0 - 2 9 1

Havre 100 212 x - 6 8 0

WP: Brenden Garden

Havre - Kelden Sullivan 2-3, Ethan Roberts 0-3, Jake Sedahl 1-3, Brenden Danielson 2-2, Tony Antley 0-3, Gavin Mosbrucker 1-2, Trey Murphy 2-3, Calvin White 0-3, Austin Delarosa 0-3.

Havre 4, Fort MacLeod 3

Fort MacLeod 201 000 0 - 3 7 0

Havre 012 200 x - 4 7 3

WP: Austin Delarosa

Havre - Kelden Sullivan 2-4, Ethan Roberts 1-3, Jake Sedahl 1-3, Brenden Danielson 1-3, Tony Antley 0-3, Gavin Mosbrucker 0-1, Trey Murphy 1-2, Caleb Allestad 0-2, Brady Ophus 0-1, Brendan Garden 1-2.