Northstars demolish first-year team Tri-County

The Havre Northstars, one of the top teams in the state this season and undefeated in conference play, took to the field for two games Thursday afternoon against the newest team in the league Tri-County.

Both games only lasted five innings as the Northstars pounded the Tri-County team, which committed a combined 20 errors in the two games.

For the Havre fans who traveled to Conrad to see the two teams play, the first inning in each game looked a lot like Sunday's second game with Fort MacLeod. In the first game, the Northstars scored seven runs in the first inning en route to a whopping 26-2 win. The second game was not much better as Havre scored nine runs in the first inning en route to a 13-2 win.

After jumping out to a 7-0 lead in the first inning of game one, the Northstars continued to take advantage of Tri-County's miscues, scoring nine runs in the second inning. Havre had only four hits but capitalized on five Tri-County errors.

The Northstars scored four runs in the third inning, two in the fourth and four more in the fifth to continue the rout.

Every Northstar player scored at least twice in the game, with most scoring three or four times. The Northstars had 13 hits in the game and Tri-County committed 13 errors.

Tri-County's two runs came in the fourth inning on one hit and two Havre errors.

Dusty Heath led all batters with a 4-for-5 game with four runs scored, four RBI, and three doubles. Designated hitter Cory Junck followed with a 3-for-4 game with four runs scored and three RBI.

Ian Spencer pitched all five innings for the win. Spencer allowed three hits and walked two. He struck out five. Both runs given up by Spencer were unearned.

In the second game, Havre scored in only two innings, but it was enough for another big win.

The Northstars scored nine runs in the first inning on five hits. Tri-County committed two errors. Tyler VanderMars racked up three RBI in the inning and scored once. VanderMars was hit by a pitch on his first at bat and then drove home two with a single his second time up. Heath and Eric Lipp each also had RBI singles.

Five Tri-County errors in the second inning allowed the Northstars to score four more runs on only one hit.

Tri-County scored one run in both the second and third innings.

Heath once again led the way for Havre with a 2-for-2 game with two singles, two runs scored and one RBI.

Junck pitched five innings for the Northstars and allowed only one hit and walked just one. He struck out seven. Both Tri-County runs allowed by Junck were unearned.

The Northstars' next games are Sunday at home against Lethbridge. They will play two seven-inning games, beginning at 6 p.m.