Close games, blowouts in Sir G's Classic

The first day of the Sir G's Midsummer Classic had a little bit of everything.

While host Ely had no trouble with Pine City in a 20-1, five-inning rout, most of the games on the first day of the 13th annual event were close.

The game of the day may have been International Falls' 4-3 victory over Cloquet, capped by Wyatt Ulrich's two-run single in the bottom of the seventh.

Hermantown edged Virginia 3-2 but later fell to Taconite 8-6, while Kenyon opened play Friday with a 5-3 decision over Taconite.

Ely, which takes on  International Falls, capitalized on 13 walks and two hit batsmen and scored in every inning, jumping out to a 4-0 lead after one frame and putting the game away with a nine-run third.

Jeff Willis and Louie Gerzin scored three runs each, while Pat Huisman had two singles and three runs batted in. Will Gustafson drove in a pair of runs and scored twice, while winning pitcher Max Gantt fanned eight and gave up two hits in four innings.