INTERNATIONAL FALLS— Ely bounced back from its Monday loss to Rock Ridge, on the strength of a four-run first inning to edge the Broncos here, 7-6. The Wolves had plenty of help from the Broncos pitcher, who hit two Ely batters and issued two walks and two wild pitches, to advance Ely runners around the bases without a single hit.
The Broncos cut Ely’s lead in half in the bottom of the second inning, with back-to-back doubles and added three more in the third inning. But Ely added runs in the third and fourth innings and clung to a 7-5 lead heading into the seventh.
A Broncos’ rally in the bottom of the inning, fueled by an opening single and a double, fell just short as junior pitcher Logan Low worked his way out of the jam for the save. Starting pitcher Gunnar Hart went two-plus innings, giving up four runs on four hits. Freshman Caid Chittum came on in relief, throwing three innings and giving up two hits and a run before giving way to Loe.
Juniors Joey Bianco and Erron Anderson each scored twice for Ely, while Loe added two hits in the contest. The win improved Ely’s record to 12-4 on the season.
It’s said that all good things must come to an end, and that included Ely’s winning streak on the baseball field, which ended at ten straight after the Wolves fell 10-3 to Rock Ridge on Monday.
The Wolverines hit the scoreboard early, with two runs in the bottom of the first. Ely answered with three runs in the top of the second to take a 3-2 lead on consecutive hits by Joey Bianco, Chase Sandberg, Eddie Prijatel, and Deegan Richards.
That might have been enough to rattle Rock Ridge starting pitcher John Kendall, but he worked his way out of the inning and kept Ely under wraps the rest of the way. Rock Ridge plated three runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to clinch the win.
Ely’s senior pitcher Harry Simons took the loss from the mound, allowing nine runs on 11 hits through five innings. Sophomore Brecken Sandberg pitched an inning in relief.
Senior Mason Davis led the way offensively for Ely, with two hits including a double. The loss dropped Ely’s record to 11-4.
Playing at home during the weekend’s annual Veteran’s Memorial Showcase Tournament, Ely dominated play, winning all three of its contests. In the Friday noon kickoff, the Wolves scored in all but one inning as they cruised to a 12-1 win over Carlton. Sophomore hurler Drew Marolt picked up the win, giving up two runs on two hits while striking out three in three innings of work. Chittum finished up with two innings of scoreless pitching, striking out three.
Bianco, Richards, senior Mason Davis, and junior Logan Loe each had two hits for Ely.
The Wolves continued their hit parade in their Friday evening tilt with Silver Bay as they outlasted the Mariners 20-19 in a four-hour, extra-inning marathon. Loe had a huge night at the plate, going four-for-five, good for three RBIs and five runs scored. Loe also pitched the final four innings and notched the win, while striking out five Mariners. Bianco drove in five runs, including the winning run in the eighth inning, on three hits. He also scored three times. Chittum added three hits and as many RBIs, while junior Erron Anderson and Davis notched two hits apiece.
Against Cook County on Saturday, Davis tossed a complete game two-hitter with five strikeouts and went three-for-three at the plate, notching three runs scored and two RBIs. Prijatel also went three-for-three and Anderson added two hits and an RBI.
Ely was set to begin the post-season on Tuesday and head into the playoffs looking strong. “We continue to play well defensively and our hitting is starting to come around at the right time of the season,” said Ely Head Coach Frank Ivancich.