North Stars split league games in Lethbridge

With another two-game split, with a conference opponent, the Havre North Stars American Legion baseball team wrapped up their short four-game stay in Canada.

Wednesday evening the North Stars took on the Lethbridge Miners in their second straight league doubleheader. Tuesday the North Stars split a doubleheader with Medicine Hat, and found similar results against the Miners. In game one the North Stars won 6-3, but in game two they fell 14-9. After Tuesday and Wednesday's splits, the North Stars are now 9-5 in league play this season.

It wasn't the best two games for the North Stars, but they did get a big boost from Justin Jensen on the mound in the game-one win. Jensen has turned in several quality starts this season and did so again, giving up just three runs. Chris Vukasin highlighted the offense with three RBIs after going 4-for-4 at the plate.

In the nightcap, pitching wasn't on the side of the North Stars.

Garreth Bernard got the start and the no decision, while Spencer Ross (Morkrid) suffered the four-run loss. Havre was able to get nine runs on the board, but couldn't keep pace with the Miner bats.

"We have to learn how to win without pitching Justin Jensen or Brandon Smith every game," North Star head coach Danny Wirtzberger said. "We need to learn how to produce runs, and doing that will make us better in the future. We need to be able to score runs by bunting or stealing or however we can manufacture them."

The schedule will remain tough for the North Stars, as their next stop takes them to the Gallatin Valley tournament in Gallatin Valley Friday through Sunday. The North Stars will face Lewistown, Gallatin Valley, Bitterroot, Deer Lodge and Glendive. Bitterroot, Lewistown and Gallatin Valley house three of the top rosters in the state, and will be a true measuring stick for the North Stars.

But while the North Stars don't play at home again until June 29, they will make a short stop at for two exhibition games at Legion Field Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. The 15 year old Babe Ruth All Stars will take on the 16 year old North Stars in a doubleheader at Legion.