North Stars close with a split in Medicine Hat

Northern A American Legion district play is now officially in the books for the Havre North Stars. And they finished strong.

Havre split with the league-leading Medicine Hat Knights Wednesday afternoon in Medicine Hat, Alberta, dropping the opening game of the doubleheader 9-6, but bouncing back to win the nightcap 5-4.

Havre finished conference play with a 9-15 record and will now prepare for next week’s Northern A District Tournament in Fort MacLeod, Alberta.

In Havre’s win against the Knights, the North Stars banged out 11 hits and used a three-run fifth inning to take a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Gavin Gunderson also earned a complete-game win on the mound, pitching seven innings, allowing just seven hits and two earned runs. Dylan Carpenter and Chris Vukasin each went 2-for-4 at the plate, with Carpenter driving in two runs and Vukasin one. Jake Sedahl also went 2-for-4, while Travis Roth, Spencer Ross and David Denny also collected hits.

In the first game, Medicine Hat posted three runs early, but Havre rallied and led 6-3 heading into the bottom of the fifth inning. From there, the Knights exploded for six runs in the bottom half of the inning, and held on to win. Tyrell Pierce got the loss for the North Stars, while Vukasin came on in relief.

At the dish, Gunderson was a perfect 3-for-3, while Jeff Miller was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Ross and Denny also drove in runs, while Vukasin, Antley and Carpenter added hits.

The North Stars, who are 18-22 overall, have two games left before the district tournament next Thursday. Havre will be in Whitefish Friday and Saturday to take on the Class A Glacier Twins.

Medicine Hat 9, North Stars 6

Havre 011 130 0 – 6 8 1

Medicine Hat 030 060 x – 9 13 2

WP – Futrell, LP – Tyrell Pierce

Havre Batting – Travis Roth 0-3, Spencer Ross 0-3 (RBI), Jake Sedahl 0-3, David Denny 1-1 (RBI), Chris Vukasin 1-2 (2 RBI), Jeff Miller 2-3 (RBI), Ryne Antley 1-2, Dylan Carpenter 1-3 (RBI), Gavin Gunderson 3-3.

North Stars 5, Medicine Hat 4

Havre 020 030 0 – 5 11 2

Medicine Hat 020 002 0 – 4 7 2

WP – Gavin Gunderson, LP – Andres

Havre Batting – Travis Roth 1-3, Spencer Ross 1-3, Jake Sedahl 2-4, David Denny 1-3, Chris Vukasin 2-4 (RBI), Jeff Miller 0-2, Ryne Antley 2-4 (RBI), Dylan Carpenter 2-4 (2 RBI), Gavin Gunderson 0-2.