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North Stars flooded by Medicine Hat

Knights sweep North Stars in rainy Havre

Some days a team just doesn’t have it, in any way shape or form. And unfortunately for the Havre North Stars American Legion baseball team, that day was Sunday.

The North Stars played two Northern A league games on Sunday afternoon at the Legion Field in Havre.

Havre struggled to start both contests, and fell twice in the doubleheader against the Medicine Hat Knights. The Knights defeated the North Stars 16-2 in the first game, and then 11-0 in the nightcap. Both games ended after just five innings of play.

“We got stronger as the games went on,” North Stars head coach Danny Wirtzberger said. “But we did not start either game very well. They scored five runs in the first inning in the second game, and three in the first inning of the first game. We have to do better than that. We have to prepare ourselves better to face good teams like this.”

In the first inning of Game One, the Knights used one hit and three walks to take an early 3-0 lead. It was a snowball effect from there, as the North Stars struggled to slow down the Knights. Medicine Hat added two more runs in the second, two more in the third, eight in the fourth, and one final run in the fifth. The North Star’s offense wasn’t as potent, as their two runs came in the fourth inning, when it was too little, too late.

Tyrell Pierce had a single for Havre, while Dustin Odegard had an RBI single. Ryne Anltey had a sacrifice fly for an RBI as well.

In the second game of the afternoon, things didn’t get off to any better of a start. This time around, the Knights jumped out to a 5-0 first inning lead, followed by one run in the second, two in the third, and three in the fifth to win by way of mercy rule.

The North Stars went hitless through three-and-one-third innings, and didn’t score a run. Chris Vukasin broke the ice with a double in the fourth inning, and Havre finished with just four hits. David Denny, Chance Pitkanen and Antley each had a single.

“We are trying to stay away from excuses,” Wirtzberger said. “But we haven’t had much time to practice. These guys (Medicine Hat) play high school ball starting in March, and then Legion ball. This is the same team we played last year, and that is huge when a feeder team like this can keep the same team for two years. That team beat us three out of five times last year, and they are a good team, but that is also a team that we are hoping we can compete with at the district tournament.”

Pitching played a big role in the two losses for the North Stars. It didn’t seem to matter whom the North Stars stuck on the mound, the strike zone seemed to get smaller and smaller.

Pierce started game one, but Spencer Ross and Vukasin came on in relief. The three gave up a combined 14 walks and six hits. And in Game Two, Gavin Gunderson pitched the entire five innings and found similar results. Gunderson gave up five walks and allowed 12 hits.

It was tough day all around for the North Stars, and they have a short turnaround. Tonight, the North Stars will face Tri-County in Conrad, weather permitting. Havre will be back at home Friday-Sunday for the Havre Jamboree.

Medicine Hat 16, Havre 2 (5 Innings)

Medicine Hat 322 81 – 16 6 1

Havre 000 20 – 2 4 2

WP – Colby Futrell; LP – Tyrell Pierce

Medicine Hat – Connor McCurdy 1-5, Zack Kunkel 0-3 RBI, Steve Clarke 1-2 RBI, Intek Hong 0-1, Mason Monti 0-3 RBI, Mason Close 1-3 RBI, Riley McDonnell 1-3 RBI, Ryan Fauth 2-3 2RBIs, Jordon Raynor 0-1.

Havre – Thurman Holdsclaw 0-2, Spencer Ross 1-1, Tyrell Pierce 1-3, David Denny 0-3, Gavin Gunderson 0-1, Ryne Antley 0-1 RBI, Deion Hammett 1-2, Dustin Odegard 0-2, Travis Roth 0-2, Chris VUkasin 1-2.

Medicine Hat 11, Havre 0 (5 Innings)

Medicine Hate 512 03 – 11 12 0

Havre 000 00 – 0 4 2

Medicine Hat – Evan Welford 1-3, Connor McCurdy 3-4 RBI, Ryan Fauth 1-3, Mason Close 2-3, Cam Geiger 1-2 RBI, Matt Stark 2-3 3RBIs, Colby Futrell 0-3, Riley McDonnell 2-4 RBI, Jordon Raynor 0-2, Steve Clarke 0-1

Havre – Thurman Holdsclaw 0-1, Chris Vukasin 1-2, Spencer Ross 0-2, Tyrell Pierce 0-1, David Denny 1-2, David Denny 1-2, Chance Pitkanen 1-2, Jase Kato 0-2, Ryne Antley 1-2, Travis Roth 0-2, Daniel Miller 0-1, Kyle Gooch 0-1.

 

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