North Stars fall in Canada

It's been a rough ride as of late for the Havre North Stars American Legion baseball team. And things didn't get any easier in Canada.

This past weekend, the North Stars dropped four straight Northern A district games, and as a result, fell to 3-11 in conference play.

Things started off in heartbreaking fashion on Saturday for the North Stars as they lost 3-2 to Medicine Hat in Medicine Hat, Alberta. Justin Jensen pitched a gem for Havre, striking out 12 Knights. But Havre didn't get much going offensively, and the Knights scored all three of their runs on three North Star errors. At the plate, Justin Denny had a double for the North Stars.

In the nightcap in Medicine Hat, it was another one-run loss for Havre. Kolby Sukut pitched well on the mound for Havre, but the North Stars couldn't hold an early lead in a nail-biting 10-9 loss. Colt Young paced the North Stars offensively, going 4-for-4 while Jensen also went 3-for-4.

Havre was hoping to turn things around on Sunday with a trip to Vauxhall, a team the North Stars beat handily earlier this month in Havre. But two more close losses is what came of Sunday's doubleheader.

In the first game Sunday, Havre dropped an 8-6 decision to the Spurs, despite a strong pitching performance from left-hander Spencer Morkrid. Both Young and Denny went 2-for-3 at the plate. And in the final game of the road trip, the North Stars again lost a heartbreaker, this time 3-1 to the Spurs. Havre's bats were silenced in game two, though Young had another good game. Young was also strong on the mound, taking the complete-game loss.

Havre has now lost eight straight Northern A games, and six in a row to Canadian teams dating back to last Wednesday's sweep at hands of the Fort MacLeod Royals.

The North Stars will try and turn things around with four more district games this week. Havre hosts the Great Falls Electrics on Tuesday afternoon.