Horvat’s blast jumpstarts Wolves

After a slow start in their season-opener, the Ely Timberwolves needed a spark.Junior Ernie Horvat answered the call, smashing a mammoth home run to left field April 16 at Hinckley, igniting a barrage that didn’t end until the high school baseball team picked up two wins.Horvat’s blast was part of a 13-3, six-inning win over East Central, while teammates Tim Scott and Nick Furnstahl combined for five hits and five runs scored in a 12-1 blowout against Hinckley.“It was a good way to start out the season,” said Ely Head Coach Frank Ivancich. “I think the difference for the whole day was Ernie’s home run. We fell behind against East Central, and it seemed like the home run just let everybody take a deep breath and play. It took some of the pressure off and after that we just went out and played.”The Wolves got contributions from up and down their batting order and showed off what figures to be their biggest strength - solid pitching.Paul Starkovich, a junior, was nicked for three runs in the first against East Central, largely due to fielding miscues for the Wolves.After that, Ely shored up its defense and Starkovich moved through the Eagles’ lineup, finishing with a three-hitter and a career-high 12 strikeouts.Horvat’s long ball was just part of the offensive display.Junior Matt High and freshman Ben Povhe had matching efforts, finishing with two hits and four runs batted in apiece. Scott had three hits and knocked in a pair of runs.Scott, the ace of Ely’s pitching staff, was dominant in the nightcap.The senior lefty fanned eight batters in four frames, and yielded just four hits.Scott got relief in the fifth from junior Nick Furnstahl, and the two did plenty of damage at the top of the order.Scott had two hits, scored twice and stole three bases, while Furnstahl finished three-for-four with three steals and three runs scored.“That got everything going for us,” said Ivancich. “You can’t ask for anything more from your top two guys in the order. They got on base and set the table.”The Wolves finished the game off in five innings because of the 10-run rule.• Tuesday’s game at Proctor was rained out and was rescheduled for May 14, as part of a Saturday doubleheader that will include games at Duluth’s Wade Stadium against both the Rails and Duluth Marshall.• Ely took on Greenway after the Echo’s deadline, and the Wolves make their home debut at 4:30 p.m. today with a matchup against Two Harbors. The first home night game of the season is slated for 7 p.m. Thursday, when the Wolves battle unbeaten Mt. Iron-Buhl.