After a record-breaking 2025 season, the Ely Timberwolves are back for more.
The high school softball team has high hopes for the 2026 season, which starts Friday with a three-game swing to southern Minnesota, and for good reason.
Six starters return from a team that picked up a school-record 17 victories and finished a game away from the Section 7A Final Four.
Jeff MacKenzie, who is back for a second year as head coach, welcomes back a solid nucleus that includes a pair of all-conference honorees.
The list is headed by senior pitcher Zoe MacKenzie, who has developed into one of the top throwers in 7A over the last two years.
As a junior, MacKenzie worked 115 innings while picking up 14 of the team’s 17 wins. MacKenzie also recorded 89 strikeouts while finishing with an earned run average of 3.28.
Also back for the Wolves is junior catcher Peyton Huntington, who not only anchored the Ely defense put provided some spark at the top of the Timberwolves’ order.
In 2025, she hit .338 and had an on-base percentage of .449. She collected 25 hits, seven of which went for extra bases.
Huntington also wound up with a team-high 33 runs scored and belted one home run with 15 RBI.
The Wolves boast plenty of experience in the infield, particularly on the left side with the return of senior third baseman Ella Perish and junior shortstop Amelia Penke.
Both will be counted on both to provide defense and some power at the plate, while Ely also has experience at second with the return of junior Julia Zgonc.
Freshman Lindi Zemke gained some valuable experience at the end of the 2025 campaign and will likely step in at first base.
Ely will retool in the outfield following the graduation of multi-year starter and all-conference honoree Clare Thomas, who started for five seasons and hit .400 a year ago with 22 runs batted in.
Makenzi Huntington is likely to move into the lineup in center, while the Wolves may look to Grace Flynn and freshman Lucy Oelke to round out the outfield.
Brooklyn Sherman could serve as a utility player for the Wolves, while Naomi Archer is expected to back up MacKenzie in the circle.
For the first time, the Wolves are heading south to begin the season and contests with Kenyon-Wanamingo, Hayfield and Blooming Prairie are set as part of a joint trip with the high school baseball season.
Even with the return of winter weather, Ely should get in an April 14 contest at Mt. Iron-Buhl, which has artificial turf, and the home opener is slated for April 20 at the high school softball field. It’s the first of nine home dates this spring for the Wolves, including a fourgame slate the weekend of May 15-16.
Turnout for the Ely program is strong, with 25 players out for the team this spring.
MacKenzie is assisted by Kelsey Donais.
Ely Timberwolves
Softball - 2026 Schedule
Apr. 10: at Kenyon-Wanamingo, 4:30 p.m.
Apr. 11: at Hayfield, 11 a.m.
Apr. 11: at Blooming Prairie, 2 p.m,
Apr. 14: at Mt. Iron-Buhl
Apr. 16: at Cherry
Apr. 17: at Hill City-Northland
Apr. 20: Mesabi East
Apr. 21: Deer River
Apr. 23: Chisholm
Apr. 24: at Two Harbors
Apr. 25: at Cook County,
10 a.m.
Apr. 27: at South Ridge
Apr. 29: at Littlefork-Big Falls
Apr. 30: at North Woods
May 4: Int. Falls
May 6: at Silver Bay
May 11: Mt. Iron-Buhl
May 15: Two Harbors, 12:30 p.m.
May 15: Greenway, 4:30 p.m.
May 16: Floodwood, 11 a.m.
May 16: North Woods, 3 p.m.
Home games in bold
Games at 4 p.m. unless noted
