.jpg)
Wolves march on in 7A Ely baseball team downs Cromwell; final four here Tuesday
With one more win, the Ely Timberwolves will have a chance to contend for a section title in their home ballpark.
The high school baseball team moved closer to a spot in the Section 7A Final Four, which starts June 3 in Ely, with Tuesday’s 8-2 victory over Cromwell-Wright.
Junior lefty Jack Davies went the distance, tossing a six-hitter while striking out three for the host Wolves.
Ely, seeded third in 7A, improved to 15-6 overall and a match-up with number- two seed and defending section champion Cherry. That contest was completed after deadline.
A win sends Ely into the winners’ bracket final on June 3, while a loss would force the Wolves to play another game Thursday, against either Cromwell-Wright or Littlefork-Big Falls, to get into the final four.
The last rounds of the 7A tournament are in Ely, with contests at 2, 4:30 and 7 p.m. June 3, with the title game stated for Thursday, June 5, at 4:30 p.m.
This marks the first time in more than 30 years that the 7A title game will be played in Ely.
After finishing the regular season with a lopsided win over Two Harbors, Ely entered this week’s playoff contest with momentum.
The Cardinals tried to take that back scratching out an unearned run in the third to take a 1-0 lead, but Ely countered with three runs in the bottom of the frame regaining control.
The Wolves got a big boost from the top of their order.
Leadoff man Drew Johnson, a junior, ripped three hits including a double to the right-center gap. He also scored three runs.
CONNECTING FOR A HIT -Ely junior Hunter Halbakken lined the ball up the middle.
GOOD FORM for second baseman Owen Marolt, who fielded a ground ball during Tuesday’s playoff game.
UP AGAINST THE BACKSTOP - Senior catcher Ben Leeson went for the ball during the Wolves’ playoff win against Cromwell-Wright.
A PLAYOFF WIN for Jack Davies, who went the distance as Ely beat Cromwell-Wright 8-2 in playoff action.
Senior Caid Chittum continued to swing a hot bat and had three hits including a triple and two runs batted in.
Sophomore Sean Merriman knocked in two runs while another sophomore Owen Marolt - finished with two hits including a double.
That was more than enough cushion for Davies, who kept the Cardinals off balance and was backed by strong defense.
Cromwell-Wright had advanced with an 11-1 win over Cook County earlier in the day.
Entering Thursday’s play, South Ridge, North Woods, Ely and Cherry were without a loss in the tournament.
• The Wolves pounded the ball around the ballpark and downed Two Harbors 20-7 in the Mary 23 regular season finale.
Davies had three hits and three RBI in the victory, while senior Jace Huntbatch had two hits, two runs scored and three RBI.
Senior catcher Ben Leeson scored three runs and drove in two, while his younger brother Evan added two hits with two RBI. Johnson scored three runs while collecting two hits, and Merriman also had two hits.
On the mound, Merriman worked four innings, allowing four hits with four strikeouts. He did not give up an earned run. Stig Majerus pitched an inning of relief.
• Junior Hunter Halbakken recorded his eighth pitching win of the spring May 22, as the Wolves defeated International Falls 8-3.
Halbakken didn’t give up an earned run and scattered six hits with four strikeouts.
Merriman stoked the offense with three hits and two RBI, while Johnson had two hits including his first home run - a two-run blast over the right field fence.
Ben Leeson doubled, finished with two hits and scored twice, while Chittum, Huntbatch and Evan Leeson all recorded two hits.
GIVING CHASE to a fly ball in a Section 7A game was Ely sophomore outfielder Tyde Brecke. Photos by Ken Hupila
ACROSS THE DIAMOND with a strong throw to first, Caid Chittum helped record an out for the Timberwolves during playoff action Tuesday.
