ELY—Last Saturday, Floodwood proved a pushover for the Timberwolves softball squad in a 19-4 Ely rout. But they proved anything but in Monday’s opening round of the Section 7A playoffs as the sixth-seeded Wolves hung on by their claws to claim a 4-3 victory to advance to the next round.
“This game was a lot tougher than Saturday,” noted Ely Head Coach Cory Lassi. “Their pitcher did a very nice job being around the strike zone and threw with a high velocity. I was proud of the way that we battled and focused all game. It would have been easy to come in and overlook this team because of the game on Saturday. I never felt like we looked past them, and that is important in a game like this.”
Ely benefitted from another strong pitching performance by sophomore Zoe MacKenzie, who gave up no earned runs and struck out eight and walked none in a five-hit performance. “Zoe had great command today,” said Lassi.
Peyton and Makenzi Huntington did most of the damage on offense for Ely. Peyton, a freshman, went 2-2, including a triple, scored once and drove in two additional runs. Makenzi went 2-2 as well, scoring twice.
With the win, the Wolves were set to face third-seeded South Ridge on Thursday.
Ely had a much easier time with Floodwood in their regular season finale at home on Saturday, as they manhandled the Polar Bears 19-4.
“We did a great job jumping out to an early lead,” said Lassi. “I felt like every ball that we hit was hit hard. We were able to take advantage of some of their mistakes on the field to put together big innings. I thought we played very well defensively.”
Senior Hannah Penke had a huge day at the plate for the Wolves, going 4-4, including three doubles. She rounded the bases four times for runs and notched six RBIs, accounting in one way or another for just over half of Ely’s 19 runs. Peyton Huntington had another strong outing as well, scoring four runs and notching an RBI on three hits. Junior Clare Thomas scored twice and drove in a run on a hit, while freshmen Grace Flynn and Amelia Penke each drove in two runs.
At Two Harbors last Friday, the Wolves exploded in the later innings to romp over the Agates 16-2.
“We had a slow start offensively, but once we went through the order the first time, our bats came alive. I thought we did a great job making an adjustment after our first time through the order,” said Lassi.
MacKenzie was dominant from the mound, allowing just two runs on two hits, while striking out seven in six full. “Zoe gave us great energy pitching,” said Lassi. “At one point she struck out five batters in a row.”
Thomas had a huge day offensively, racking up five hits, including two doubles, while driving in three runs and scoring three times.
Amelia Penke went 4-4, notching four RBIs and scoring once, while Flynn went 2-3, scoring twice and racking up two RBIs.