Northstars shine in opening games with SparkiesNorthstars score combined 45 runs in two-game swe

Northstars shine in opening games with Sparkies

Northstars score combined 45 runs in two-game sweep

The Havre Northstars got their season of to a sizzling start Sunday in Great Falls, sweeping a doubleheader from the Great Falls Sparkies.

The Northstars won the first game 29-1 and the second game 16-4.

Ian Spencer sparked the Northstars with a 5-for-5 effort in game one, driving in five runs. Spencer hit three doubles, two singles and walked once. Spencer also scored three runs. Danny Wirtzberger followed with a 3-for-4 game with three singles and two walks. Wirtzberger drove in three runs and scored five times.

Dusty Heath added a 3-for-6 effort, driving in five runs on two doubles and a single. Heath also scored four runs. Bob Bergren joined the scoring spree with two walks, a double and a triple, knocking home four runs and scoring three.

The Northstars batted over .500 for the game with a slugging percentage of .805. The Northstars had 21 hits and 10 walks. Six of the 29 runs were unearned.

Ben Mader pitched the first two innings and gave up the lone run the Sparkies scored. Tyler Thompson followed with two scoreless innings and earned the win. Thompson gave up one hit but faced the minimum six batters. Cory Junck came in and pitched the fifth and final inning.

Doug Ireland added a three-hit effort with two doubles and two RBI. Garrett Drake and Brian Childree combined to drive in three runs. Both had one double.

In the second game, the Northstars scored 16 runs, 14 earned, on nine hits and 14 walks.

Daine Solomon, Tyler VanderMars, Ireland and Thompson each drove in two runs with a combined five hits and six walks. Ireland, Thompson and Adam Jensen combined for a perfect 5-for-5 game.

Spencer started the game and pitched two innings. Spencer gave up three earned runs on three hits. He also struck out three. Ireland pitched the third and fourth innings, striking out three. Ireland, who picked up the win, gave up two hits and one walk but did not allow a runner to score. Eric Lipp pitched the fifth inning and gave up one unearned run.

The Northstars and Comets meet up Sunday at Legion Field for a non-conference game. The two will play one nine-inning game, beginning at 1 p.m.