The Havre Northstars opened up the 2023 NORTHWEST CLASS A REGIONAL BASEBALL TOURNAMENT with a triumphant (1-0) victory over the Ridgeline Wolverines, the American Legion champions of Utah.
The drama started early and it didn’t even involve the play on the field. With two outs in the bottom of the second inning, the game was delayed because of lightning in the area. What came next was a storm that moved in to disrupt any sense of normalcy. 3.5 hours later, the game resumed after multiple adjustments in timing.
The story was pitching as Kale Reno got the nod for Patch Wirtzberger’s crew. He threw a gem, tossing 110 pitches in 6.1 innings with 11 strikeouts, one walk, and no runs allowed. He got out of a jam in the first inning, throwing 28 pitches and leaving runners at second and third before getting back-to-back K’s.
His counterpart for Ridgeline, Sam Swan, was also good, going the distance and striking out nine Northstars. The game’s only run was an Ezra Pyle RBI single in the third inning, scoring Chason Mader from second base.
Things got interesting down the stretch for Havre. Reno pitched the seventh inning, where he got the first out, but walked Swan to put the lead runner on. Northstars coach Patch Wirtzberger made a pitching change, going with Brody Nanini to try and get the final two outs. Nanini proceeded to walk and hit the next two batters to load the bases. Ridgeline tried a squeeze play at home, but the bunt was right back to Nanini and he fired to Mader to get the lead runner in Swan. Nanini then struck out Ripken Jensen to end the game.
Havre won its first regional tournament game since 1999. They will be guaranteed to play at least two more games at the tournament that they’re hosting, starting with an approximate 10:15 first pitch on Saturday night against the Powell Pioneers. That game will be on 610-AM KOJM a few minutes before with Noah Friedman once again on the call. Get the link HERE
