The Havre Northstars baseball team is set to embark on another successful season. New Media Broadcasters caught up with head coach Patch Wirtzberger and he was asked about the roster makeup of the club. He first stated how the upperclassmen returners like Terek Shipp, Colter Solomon, and Jevin Jenkins will fill the holes of the seniors who graduated from last year’s team.
“(We) lost a lot of experience off of last year’s team,” Wirtzberger said. “But the younger kids have been in this program for a long time.’
“They’ve really went about their practice habits well not only in the last few weeks, but in our offseason workouts,” Wirtzberger continued. “We’re expecting these guys to pick up where they’ve left off. They’ve really been working hard.”
There will be a domino effect when it comes to unifying the squad. Coach Wirtzberger shouted out a few players who will make their mark this summer with one year of experience under their belts, but also said some first-timers will complete the nucleus of the club.
“Kids that are coming into their sophomore years that were on the roster last year (include) Tyson Brandon, Tommy Lewis, (and) Logan Kinsella that will step into larger roles this year,” Wirtzberger said. “I’m excited to see what they can do.”
“We’ve got some freshmen that we’ve brought along that have really benefitted from practice the last few weeks and can hopefully give us some good innings as role players here as the season goes along,” Wirtzberger continued. “That’s Grady Haney, Teegan Solomon, and Archer Sawdy. (I’m) excited about the young core we have coming up.”
Havre will play an AA foe to open the season in the Great Falls Chargers. Wirtzberger shared with the listeners what the approach has been all week long in getting ready for the long run and how giddy his team is to face new opposition.
“I think our team has been chomping at the bit to get out on the field and play against somebody else,” Wirtzberger said. “With us starting games later than these guys ever have, I think they’re just ready.”
“Great Falls is going to be a good challenge for us,” Wirtzberger continued. “Their double-a squad has got a lot of experienced players on there (with) really good pitching. It’s going to test our discipline.”
“I know the guys are excited,” Wirtzberger said. “We’re excited to see them play.”
The Havre Northstars’s season opener will be Sunday afternoon against the Great Falls Chargers. First pitch from American Legion Park is at 1pm for the doubleheader.
