The Ely Timberwolves’ first two wins of the spring were never in doubt.
Grant Chittum’s first career home run - a three-run blast - was part of a first-inning outburst in Ely’s 111, five-inning high school baseball victory over Cook County on a chilly home opening afternoon at the ballpark on April 24.
Senior Hunter Halbakken flirted with perfection until the fourth inning, and still fired a no-hitter with nine strikeouts.
Later that same day, the Wolves completed the split doubleheader home sweep, cruising past Silver Bay 25-2 in five innings.
Ely got on the field for the first time in two weeks as part of an April schedule decimated by weather-related issues.
Pitchers Halbakken and Owen Marolt largely dominated on the mound, while Marolt collected six hits and senior Drew Johnson drove in five runs.
“It felt good to get back into the win column after our 0-3 start,” said Ely Head Coach Frank Ivancich. “We knew our first weekend was going to be against some good teams and I thought that we certainly cleaned up a few things and that showed up Friday.”
After Halbakken set down the Vikings in order in the first inning, Ely went right to work against a young Cook County team, which had two freshmen, an eighth-grader and a seventh-grader in its starting infield.
Chittum’s blast over the left field fence gave Ely a 5-0 lead and the rout was on in the first.
Chittum finished with two hits and four runs batted in, while Marolt and fellow juniors Stig Majerus and Sean Merriman had two hits each.
Halbakken issued just two walks and the Vikings got on the board in the fifth with the help of a walk, a stolen base and a passed ball.
The Wolves drilled 19 hits and pummeled Silver Bay to complete the home sweep.
Marolt helped his own cause, getting four hits and scoring four times while allowing three hits with five strikeouts to pick up the pitching w in. S enior Jack Davies closed it out with a scoreless fifth.
Johnson had three hits with three runs scored as well as four runs batted in in the contest, and junior Tyde Brecke had two hits and knocked in four runs.
Merriman, Chittum and Parker Niskala all added two hits and freshman Kooper Dostert got his first two varsity hits and drove in four runs.
The Wolves’ game with South Ridge on Monday was rained out and Ely was set to host Mt. Iron-Buhl after deadline on Thursday.
• This week, Ely opens a stretch that includes 11 games in 13 days - including seven at home.
The grind begins with Monday’s home meeting with Mesabi East.
“We hope to continue to get better and be more consistent.” said Ivancich. “ Hunter and Owen certainly looked sharper on the mound for us Friday, their continued improvement is key for us. If we continue to improve defensively, stay healthy, and hit the way we have started in our five games, we will be a team to contend with in the end.”
