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The Ely Timberwolves have had their share of heartbreak this week - so perhaps their luck is bound to turn in postseason play.
After tough, narrow defeats to both Cherry and Class AAA Rock Ridge, Ely seems destined for the number-three seed in the Section 7A playoffs, which start Tuesday.
The Wolves will have home field advantage for the opening round, and the number- six seed - perhaps local rival North Woods - would be their opponent.
Ely (12-6) reached the final four of the section tournament a year ago and owns a win over the likely number- one seed - South Ridge.
The Wolves also gave defending section champion and two seed Cherry a run on Tuesday, before falling 5-2 at home.
Ely also seemed to have victory in its grasp Wednesday at Rock Ridge, as Caid Chittum’s two-out single gave the Wolves a 3-2 lead in the top of the seventh.
But the host Wolverines countered, scoring a run of their own with two outs in the bottom of the seventh and pulling out a 4-3 win in the ninth on a bases-loaded, hit by pitch.
It was an anticlimactic end for the Wolves, who nearly pulled off the upset.
Starting pitcher Jack Davies worked the first six innings, scattering six hits, allowing only one earned run and fanning three.
Trailing 2-1, Ely tied it in the sixth on Sean Merriman’s run-scoring single and a twoout rally gave the Wolves the edge in the seventh.
Both Drew Johnson and Ben Leeson reached base to set the stage for Chittum, who belted his second hit of the night to give Ely the lead.
Rock Ridge reliever Blake Bailey escaped further trouble and Chittum set down the first two Wolverines in the seventh.
A two-out walk extended the inning and set the stage for Tyler Reid’s game-tying double to right.
Ely didn’t threaten in extra innings and the hosts won it in the bottom of the ninth.
Both Chittum and Merriman had two hits for the Wolves, while Evan Leeson also singled.
Cherry pulled away late to win Tuesday’s makeup game in Ely, and winning pitcher Mason Heitzman wiggled out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh to preserve the win for the Tigers.
Isaiah and Noah Asuma had three hits each for the winners, and Heitzman went the distance on the mound.
Losing pitcher Owen Marolt gave up nine hits and only one earned run, fanning five Tigers.
Johnson had three hits for the Wolves, Chittum tripled and scored a run and Hunter Halbakken chipped in with two hits.
• In last weekend’s Veterans Memorial Showcase, the host Wolves scored a pair of wins against teams from outside the area.
Halbakken gained his seventh win of the spring Saturday as Ely downed the West Marshall Fusion 6-2.
The junior righthander struck out five and gave up nine hits en route to the victory.
Evan Leeson had a tworun single for the winners and his older brother Ben added two hits with two runs scored.
Marolt contributed two hits including a double and Chittum maintained his hot streak - adding another two hits.
In an opening round game, the Wolves downed Blackduck 12-8.
Marolt got the pitching win, working three-and-twothirds innings in relief of Davies, allowing three hits with two strikeouts.
Evan Leeson had two hits with four runs batted in for the winners, and Merriman added another three hits to the barrage.
Chittum had two hits, two runs batted in and scored three times, and Ben Leeson scored four runs.
Davies also ripped two hits.
• After opening round action Tuesday, the 7A playoffs continue Thursday, most likely at South Ridge and Cherry.
Once the tournament gets down to four teams, those games will be played in Ely, with Veterans Memorial Field home to a section title game for the first time since 1990.
The 7A championship game will take place on Thursday, June 5, at 5 p.m.
