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If the Havre North Stars American Legion baseball team had it a little rough the first time they faced the Great Falls Chargers, then the second time around was more like a nightmare.
The North Stars played host to the Class AA Chargers in a twin bill on Sunday at Legion Field, dropping both games by scores of 18-1.
The games were supposed to be played in Great Falls, but were moved to Havre due to field problems at Centene Stadium.
The double dip started off with a bang in Havre however.
Great Falls came out swinging, scoring four runs off game-one starter Justin Jensen in the first inning.
Included in the early barrage was a line drive homerun by Charger center fielder Jake Olson.
However, Havre tried to answer right away as catcher C.J. Evans led off the North Star's half of the first inning with solo homer to left field to cut the Charger's lead to 4-1.
From there, however, the powerful Chargers took control, especially on the mound.
Great Falls' starter Mike Winkler settled in and allowed just three Havre hits and no more runs the rest of the way. Winkler wound up going four innings, striking out five and allowing just one run in the win. He and reliever Sean Murray got plenty of help too.
Great Falls racked up 14 hits, scored 18 runs and capitalized on five Havre errors.
Kyle Miller, Adam Briese and Mark Vukasin each collected a hit for the North Stars, with Briese doubling in his season debut.
Like the first game, the nightcap also started off with Havre in the contest.
The Chargers only scored four runs off Miller in the first three innings, but Havre's bats couldn't find a way to get to starter Spencer Hart, who struck out five North Stars in three innings of work.
Great Falls then did its damage in the fourth and fifth innings. The Chargers exploded for six runs in the fourth inning and batted around, scoring eight more in the fifth to put the game away.
Havre's lone run came in the bottom of the fifth inning when Miller crushed a double to left field, plating Spencer Morkrid to avoid the shutout.
Miller, who took the loss on the mound, led the Havre offense going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Morkrid had the only other hit for the North Stars.
Miller had a strong day offensively for the North Stars, but as a team, they struggled at the plate. Havre was also shorthanded on Sunday, missing Brandon Smith, who is out with an injury, as well as pitcher/outfielder Roman Surber.
Havre (3-5) is now off until June 3 when the North Stars open Northern District play in Conrad against Tri- County.
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