ELY — The Ely Timberwolves shook off a rough Saturday in Blackduck and came roaring back Monday, rolling past Littlefork-Big Falls 15-1 behind a dominant outing from pitcher Jack Davies and a seven-run first inning.
Ely dropped both games of a Saturday doubleheader in Blackduck, falling 11-0 to defending Class A state champion Red Lake County before suffering a 13-0 loss to the host Drakes. The Wolves were also shorthanded for the trip, missing three starters.
Red Lake County pitcher Miles Taggert scattered six hits and struck out five in the Rebels’ five-inning win. Owen Marolt took the loss for Ely, allowing 11 runs on 11 hits while striking out three.
Evan Leeson provided one of the few bright spots offensively for the Wolves, collecting two hits, while Gunner Skager picked up his first varsity hit.
Blackduck broke open the second game with an eight-run fourth inning on the way to a 13-0 win. Leeson took the loss on the mound, allowing five runs on five hits, and again paced Ely offensively with two hits.
Monday night was a different story.
Littlefork-Big Falls grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the first inning after Jake Sullivan doubled and later scored on a Riley Erickson single. Ely answered immediately and emphatically.
The Timberwolves erupted for seven runs in the bottom of the first, fueled by consecutive hits from Sean Merriman, Owen Marolt, and Grant Chittum. Ely added four more runs in the second inning and tacked on three more in the fourth to put the game well out of reach.
Marolt finished with two hits, Parker Niskala drove in three runs, and Chittum added two RBIs in the rout.
Davies controlled the game from the mound from start to finish. The Ely left-hander allowed just two hits while striking out 12 and walking none.
The win improved Ely to 7-5 on the season. The Timberwolves now head into a demanding stretch that includes games against GNK, South Ridge, Pine City, West Marshall Fusion, and Esko.
“This was the start of a stretch of games that sees us finish out the season with six games this week and closing with four games next week,” said Ely head coach Frank Ivancich. “We will be playing some very talented teams in this stretch, which includes five AA teams and Section 7A heavyweights South Ridge and Cherry. This stretch will most certainly get us ready for playoffs.”