TWO HARBORS— Give the Timberwolves an inning to warm up and then watch out. That was the message sent this past week as Ely blew back-to-back games wide open in the second inning.
On Friday, the Wolves exploded for nine runs in the second inning here as they went to crush Two Harbors 17-0 to improve to 4-2 on the season. Ely put up five runs in the first inning. Amelia Penke hit into a fielder’s choice that allowed a run to score, followed by an Ella Perish double that brought home two more. A Two Harbors error followed by a ground out by Makenzi Huntington added two more runs in the opening frame.
In the second, Clare Thomas, Ella Perish, Julia Zgonc, and Maija Mattson each hit RBI singles, and another run scored on a Two Harbors error. Peyton Huntington knocked in two runs with a single of her own, and Thomas iced the cake on her second time at the plate in the inning, with a two-run triple.
The Timberwolves tacked on one more run in the third inning, thanks to another Two Harbors error, bringing the final score to 17-0.
On the mound, Zoe MacKenzie was lights out, pitching three straight shutout innings, allowing just two hits while striking out five and issuing no walks. Naomi Archer came in for one inning of relief, surrendering one hit and striking out two. Ely racked up 14 hits on the afternoon.
Ely 11, Chisholm 1
Hosting Chisholm last Thursday, the Wolves used a six-run second inning to cruise to an 11-1 win over the Bluestreaks.
Ely wasted no time getting on the board, with Thomas driving in the game’s first run with a single in the opening frame. In the second, Peyton Huntington and Mattson both delivered two-run singles, while the Wolves sent two more across the plate on a wild pitch.
Ely extended its lead with four more runs in the third, fueled by RBI singles from Huntington, Thomas, and Amelia Penke. In total, the Timberwolves tallied nine hits on the day and drew seven walks, showing patience and discipline at the plate.
Zoe MacKenzie earned the win for Ely, tossing three scoreless innings while allowing just two hits, striking out four, and walking three. Naomi Archer came on in relief. Chisholm’s Avaya Fontaine took the loss, pitching four innings and giving up 11 runs (10 earned) on nine hits while striking out four and issuing seven walks.
At the plate, Penke led the Timberwolves with three RBIs, going 1-for-2 from the cleanup spot. Huntington, Thomas, and Julia Zgonc each chipped in with two hits. Ely was especially aggressive on the base pads, notching a remarkable 14 steals in the game. Huntington, Thomas, Zgonc, and Penke each had multiple steals. MacKenzie and Rylee Larsen also showed patience, each drawing two walks.
Ely was set to host North Woods on Thursday, with a 4 p.m. varsity start. They’ll travel to International Falls on Monday and head to Chisholm on Tuesday.