Northstars open Jamboree with win over Redbirds

Bo Jackson is making a comeback.

Well, at least his shoes are.

Danny Wirtzberger attributed his team-leading 2-for-3, two-RBI game to his lucky blue Bo Jackson shoes. This was the first game of the season he wore the lucky shoes, given to him by his friend, Nick Holt.

"I only wear them in important games," Wirtzberger said.

Backed by Wirtzberger and strong pitching by Tyler Thompson, the Northstars won their 2002 Baseball Jamboree opener, 6-1, over Lewistown.

The Northstars got things started early, scoring two runs in the first inning. Havre used two Redbird errors and two walks to assist in the scoring. Steve Heberly led off with a single the lone hit in the inning and was driven home on a sacrifice fly by Wirtzberger.

Havre increased its lead in the third as Wirtzberger tripled home catcher Adam Jensen.

The Northstars, who heard trash talking by the Redbirds before the game, continued to increase their lead, scoring one run in each of the fourth, fifth and sixth innings.

"They told the Comets they wanted the Northstars," Wirtzberger said. "They wanted the Northstars and they got them."

Lewistown's only run came in the fifth inning on an RBI single by Jeff Ernst, who drove home catcher Vince Bride. Bride led off the inning with a single.

Four Northstars pounded out two hits each. The team had 10.

"Their pitcher was a pretty tough pitcher," Northstars coach Mickey Williams said. "He kept us off balance a little bit. We had a few base-running errors and mental mistakes, but a win's a win."

Lewistown tallied seven hits, led by Chris Otto's 2-for-4 effort.

The Northstars feel they have something to prove in this tournament, Wirtzberger said. After a strong season last year, they want to show the state that they are still the team to beat.

Havre will have its chance to do so tonight at 9:30 when it meets up with Gallatin Valley, a team which beat the Northstars at the state tournament last year.

"We're going to get them back," Wirtzberger said. "We're going to take it to them. We're definitely the team to beat this year."

Added Williams: "Dillon and Gallatin Valley will be tough. But (the Northstars) will be ready."

Before taking on Gallatin Valley, the Northstars face Dillon at 7:15 p.m.

Lewistown 000 010 0

1

7

4

Havre Northstars 201 111 x

6

10

2

Josh Roane and Vince Bride; Tyler Thompson and Adam Jensen. W Thompson. L Roane.