ELY— Mesabi East pitcher Dakota Kruse fanned an even dozen Ely batters and slammed a two-run homer here on Monday as the Giants dropped the Timberwolves to 8-9 on the season. The 5-1 loss came after the Wolves split their games during the weekend’s Veterans Memorial Showcase, held Friday and Saturday in Ely.
“We really struggled at the plate at times over the past five games,” said Ely Head Coach Frank Ivancich. “As I’ve told our team we are going to face most teams’ top pitchers as was the case in this five-game run.”
While Kruse was tough on the mound, the Wolves did manage five hits, including two by junior Caid Chittum, who maintained his hot streak with two hits. Senior Elliott Levens delivered a run-scoring hit for Ely in the sixth inning, but it was too little, too late.
Playing on Saturday, the Wolves showed their potential in a 5-0 shutout of International Falls. At the plate Chittum and Sam Leeson paced the Ely attack with two hits apiece.  Senior Drew Marolt had a hit and drove in two runs with a double in the fifth to extend Ely’s lead.
Sophomore pitcher Hunter Halbakken scattered eight hits and struck out nine in five innings of work for the win.
Ely began the day on Saturday with a easy blowout over Cook County. Chittum, who started and finished on the mound, was in total control as he struck out 11 while surrendering just two hits in the five-inning win for the Wolves.  Chittum paced the offense with two hits and three RBI’s.  Senior Deegan Richards and junior Ben Leeson each added a double and drove in a run as Ely cruised to the easy win. 
Ely faced tougher competition in back-to-back pitcher’s duels on Friday. In the morning game against Warroad, Marolt had another strong outing on the mound, allowing just two runs on three hits while striking out four. But Warroad pitcher Brock Thompson allowed just one run on five hits, while striking out four to notch the 2-1 win.
Warroad scored single runs in the second and third innings to take an early  2-0 lead.  Ely struck in the bottom of the sixth as Brecken Sandberg singled in Sam Leeson who led off the inning with a base hit.  Deegan Richards notched two hits for Ely.
In the afternoon contest, Cherry standout pitcher Jason Asuma proved too hot to handle as he fanned 11 Ely batters enroute to a 2-1 win in a game that went to extra innings. Asuma also delivered the game winning hit as he drove in Isaiah Asuma in the top of the seventh to break the 1-1 tie game.
Ely starter Brecken Sandberg matched Asuma as he struck out 10 while walking three and giving up four hits. Ely picked up its only run in the bottom of the sixth when Drew Marolt doubled in Chittum, who had led off the inning with a single.
Despite the back-to-back losses, Ivancich saw plenty to like. “We had two great baseball games, well-pitched by all,” he said. “Overall, it was a great day of baseball for us. We faced two good pitchers today and gave ourselves a chance to win both of those games.”