Ely's American Legion baseball team played flawless defense for the first time this summer, and the result was a convincing win Tuesday night at Marble.
College freshman Will Gustafson tossed a complete-game seven-hitter and Ely went without an error, while a four-run fourth-inning provided more than enough offense as Post 248 downed Taconite 7-1.
Gustafson, back after a weeklong trip to Cuba, gave up a first-inning run but settled in after that and avenged a loss to the same team just over two weeks ago.
Ely broke a one-all deadlock in the fourth by scoring four runs, all with two outs. The key blow was a two-run single by Patrick Huisman, who finished with three runs batted in.
Spencer Gaulke's sacrifice fly earlier in the frame put Ely ahead to stay, while Kyle Durbin also added a run-scoring hit during the frame.
Leadoff man Jeff Willis had two hits and scored two times for the winners, and Tayler Banks added two hits. Ely finished with 10 hits against losing pitcher Jeff Korpi, with all but one starter getting at least one hit.
Gustafson recorded six strikeouts and walked only two batters en route to his second win of the summer, and the righthander induced a double-play ball to escape trouble in the sixth inning.
The Ely defense, meanwhile, put together its best outing of the season and bounced back after committing six errors in a Saturday loss to Kenyon.
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Schedule set for second Ely Baseball Days celebration
For the second year in a row, the month of July augers a baseball celebration in Ely.
The second annual Ely Baseball Days begins July 7 and runs through July 19, and includes a pair of tournaments, numerous special events and a whopping 36 games at Veterans Memorial Field.
Both the 11-team Sir G's Midsummer Legion Classic and the North Subdistrict VFW Playoffs will be held during the event, and Ely's Legion Alumni Game, scrapped because of rain June 20, has been rescheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 18.
The event kicks off July 7 with a tripleheader, including a VFW twinbill with International Falls and a 7 p.m. Legion contest between Ely and Esko. It will be Little League night at the ballpark, with all Little League teams introduced during the Legion game and hot dogs on sale for $1.
Numerous other festivities are planned during Ely Baseball Days, including concession stand specials, an Ely baseball history display, the July 17 dedication of the new scoreboard with Minnesota Power Night at the ballpark, and a salute to veterans the same evening.
A tentative schedule is below
The second annual Ely Baseball Days begins July 7 and runs through July 19, and includes a pair of tournaments, numerous special events and a whopping 36 games at Veterans Memorial Field.
Both the 11-team Sir G's Midsummer Legion Classic and the North Subdistrict VFW Playoffs will be held during the event, and Ely's Legion Alumni Game, scrapped because of rain June 20, has been rescheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 18.
The event kicks off July 7 with a tripleheader, including a VFW twinbill with International Falls and a 7 p.m. Legion contest between Ely and Esko. It will be Little League night at the ballpark, with all Little League teams introduced during the Legion game and hot dogs on sale for $1.
Numerous other festivities are planned during Ely Baseball Days, including concession stand specials, an Ely baseball history display, the July 17 dedication of the new scoreboard with Minnesota Power Night at the ballpark, and a salute to veterans the same evening.
A tentative schedule is below
Schedule of Events
Tuesday July 7
Little League Night
All Hot Dogs $1
VFW - Int. Falls at Ely (2), 2 p.m.
Legion Game - Esko at Ely, 7 p.m.
Ely Little League Champions recognized before game,
2nd, 3rd and 4th place teams to be recognized during game
Wednesday July 8
Junior Three-way tripleheader
Ely vs. Cook County, 3 p.m., Virginia vs. Cook County, 5:15p.m.,
Ely vs Virginia, 7:30 p.m.
All Hot Dogs $1
Giveaway Night
Drawing for $100 Cash - People receive tickets with each concession purchase,
with drawing during 7:30 p.m. game (must be present)
Friday July 10
Sir G's Midsummer Legion Classic
Games at 9 and 11:15 a.m.., 1:30, 3:45, 6 and 8:15 p.m.
Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital Night/
Ely Baseball Days Recognition Ceremony, Ely VFW, Ely Juniors on field
Ely Baseball HIstory Display
Saturday July 11
Sir G's Midsummer Legion Classic
Games at 8:30, 10:45 a.m., 1, 3:15, 5:30 and 7:45 p.m.
Ely Baseball History Display
Sunday July 12
Sir G's Midsummer Legion Classic
Games at 9 an 11:15 a.m., 1:30 and 3:45 p.m.
Ely Baseball History Display
Teacher Appreciation Day (?????)
Wednesday July 15
VFW - Ely vs. Deer RIver, 5 p.m.; Legion - Ely vs. Deer River, 7:30 p.m.
Little League All Stars Night
$2 Burgers, $2 Root Beer Floats
Ely Baseball History Display
Friday July 17
Minnesota Power Night/Veterans Recognition
Legion vs. Virginia, 5 p.m.; Legion vs. Brookston, 7:30 p.m.
Minnesota Power Scoreboard Dedication before 7:30 p.m. game
Veterans on field before 7:30 game
Saturday July 18
North Subdistrict VFW Playoffs
Games at 10 a.m.. 12:15, 2:30 and 4:45 p.m.
Legion Alumni Game - 7 p.m.
Josh Mathson Memorial Presentation
Sunday July 19
North Subdistrict VFW Playoffs
Games at 11 a.m.., 1;30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Post 248 winless down south
A long hitting slump for Ely's American Legion baseball team, particularly with runners in scoring position, continued Saturday at Jordan's Mini-Met.
Ely scored only two runs all day in 9-1 and 5-1 losses to Jordan and Kenyon, respectively, and finished the four game swing with four defeats, only six runs scored and a 3-for-30 weekend performance at the plate with runners in scoring position.
Both starting pitchers in Saturday's tilts left early because of injury, with Pat Huisman working just three frames in the loss to Jordan and freshman Gage Merhar leaving the game with Kenyon in the bottom of the second with a tight back.
Brody Skala had three hits for the day for Ely, while Tayler Banks was effective in relief against Kenyon, yielding five hits and no earned runs.
Ely (3-12) is back in action Tuesday night at Marble, against district rival Taconite.
Ely scored only two runs all day in 9-1 and 5-1 losses to Jordan and Kenyon, respectively, and finished the four game swing with four defeats, only six runs scored and a 3-for-30 weekend performance at the plate with runners in scoring position.
Both starting pitchers in Saturday's tilts left early because of injury, with Pat Huisman working just three frames in the loss to Jordan and freshman Gage Merhar leaving the game with Kenyon in the bottom of the second with a tight back.
Brody Skala had three hits for the day for Ely, while Tayler Banks was effective in relief against Kenyon, yielding five hits and no earned runs.
Ely (3-12) is back in action Tuesday night at Marble, against district rival Taconite.
Friday, June 26, 2015
Rough start to southern swing
Ely's American Legion baseball team is 0-for-2 thus far during its visit to the Twin Cities metro area.
Powerful Norwood-Young America ripped 15 hits Thursday night in a 15-1, five-inning rout over Post 248, while Ely stranded 11 runners and yielded five unearned runs in a 7-3 Friday loss to Minneapolis South.
Ely had numerous opportunities against Minneapolis South, in a contest held at Richfield. Two runners were stranded in scoring position in the top of the first, while Minneapolis South countered with two-run rallies in both the bottom of the first and second, aided by three Ely errors.
That put Post 248 in catch-up mode and Ely never really recovered.
Trailing 7-2 in the sixth, Ely left the bases loaded and stranded its best chance to get back in the game when a Jeff Willis gapper was caught.
Gage Merhar picked up his third hit in the final frame and courtesy runner Preston Leustek scored on a wild pitch, but two more runners were left on base.
Losing pitcher Elliot Omerza gave up six hits, while Tayler Banks worked an inning of scoreless relief.
Ely managed just four hits against three Norwood pitchers, and the hosts put the game away by scoring eight runs in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Post 248 closes out its southern swing Saturday at Jordan's Mini-Met, with games against host Jordan (10 a.m.) and Kenyon (noon).
Powerful Norwood-Young America ripped 15 hits Thursday night in a 15-1, five-inning rout over Post 248, while Ely stranded 11 runners and yielded five unearned runs in a 7-3 Friday loss to Minneapolis South.
Ely had numerous opportunities against Minneapolis South, in a contest held at Richfield. Two runners were stranded in scoring position in the top of the first, while Minneapolis South countered with two-run rallies in both the bottom of the first and second, aided by three Ely errors.
That put Post 248 in catch-up mode and Ely never really recovered.
Trailing 7-2 in the sixth, Ely left the bases loaded and stranded its best chance to get back in the game when a Jeff Willis gapper was caught.
Gage Merhar picked up his third hit in the final frame and courtesy runner Preston Leustek scored on a wild pitch, but two more runners were left on base.
Losing pitcher Elliot Omerza gave up six hits, while Tayler Banks worked an inning of scoreless relief.
Ely managed just four hits against three Norwood pitchers, and the hosts put the game away by scoring eight runs in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Post 248 closes out its southern swing Saturday at Jordan's Mini-Met, with games against host Jordan (10 a.m.) and Kenyon (noon).
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Huisman beats Deer River, ends long losing streak
Patrick Huisman helped put Ely's American Legion baseball team back in familiar territory Tuesday night.
The righthander dominated on the mound, finishing with a three-hitter and 11 strikeouts as Ely downed Deer River 6-2 and snapped a six-game losing skid, the program's longest since 1990.
Huisman, who struck out the side in both the first and second frames, lost his shutout bid in the sixth inning but by then Post 248 had a comfortable cushion.
Deer River fielding miscues led to an unearned run for Ely in the first and set the tone for the night, as the hosts committed seven errors.
Tayler Banks singled and scored on an error in the fourth, while a two-run fifth-inning rally included a double by Gage Merhar and a single by Elliot Omerza, with two errors in between.
Omerza finished with two hits and two runs batted in for the winners, and Merhar added two hits.
Huisman retired seven straight batters at one point and eight at another. He showed pinpoint control and did not walk a batter while improving to 3-1 for the summer.
The righthander dominated on the mound, finishing with a three-hitter and 11 strikeouts as Ely downed Deer River 6-2 and snapped a six-game losing skid, the program's longest since 1990.
Huisman, who struck out the side in both the first and second frames, lost his shutout bid in the sixth inning but by then Post 248 had a comfortable cushion.
Deer River fielding miscues led to an unearned run for Ely in the first and set the tone for the night, as the hosts committed seven errors.
Tayler Banks singled and scored on an error in the fourth, while a two-run fifth-inning rally included a double by Gage Merhar and a single by Elliot Omerza, with two errors in between.
Omerza finished with two hits and two runs batted in for the winners, and Merhar added two hits.
Huisman retired seven straight batters at one point and eight at another. He showed pinpoint control and did not walk a batter while improving to 3-1 for the summer.
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Defense hinders Ely in DQ finale
Ely's American Legion baseball team ran head long into a familiar nemesis - its own defense - on the final day of the 28th Annual DQ Grill and Chill Classic.
Post 248 committed 10 errors on the day and dropped a 12-3 and 12-4 decisions to district rivals Two Harbors and Esko, respectively, at Veterans Memorial Field.
Ely, which has lost six straight contests, continued to give opponents extra outs throughout the day, and both teams made the hosts pay.
Nathan Bauck had three hits, including a line drive off the ankle of starting pitcher Spencer Gaulke, in Two Harbors' five-inning win.
The Bauck smash knocked Gaulke out of the game in the third inning, and came after three Ely errors led four unearned runs.
Two Harbors gave winning pitcher Tim Luoma plenty of cushion, and the righthander worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the first inning, finishing with a four-hitter and three strikeouts.
Brody Skala and Gage Merhar knocked in runs in a losing cause for Ely.
In the nightcap, three Ely errors in the top of the first led to four Esko runs, and that all but decided the contest.
Jeff Willis and Kyle Durbin drove in runs in the second inning to trim the lead to 5-3, but Esko came with four runs in the top of the fourth, helped by two Ely errors.
Tyler Peterson had two hits and two runs batted in for Esko, and winning pitcher Derek Peterson scattered seven hits with four strikeouts.
Merhar singled and tripled for Ely, while Elliot Omerza was tagged with the pitching loss. He gave up eight hits but also walked 10 batters.
In other DQ Classic action, Foley clinched first-place in the abbreviated, rain-shortened tournament with a a 5-0 win over Roseau and a 5-2 triumph against Kenyon. Roseau outscored Two Harbors 8-7.
Post 248 committed 10 errors on the day and dropped a 12-3 and 12-4 decisions to district rivals Two Harbors and Esko, respectively, at Veterans Memorial Field.
Ely, which has lost six straight contests, continued to give opponents extra outs throughout the day, and both teams made the hosts pay.
Nathan Bauck had three hits, including a line drive off the ankle of starting pitcher Spencer Gaulke, in Two Harbors' five-inning win.
The Bauck smash knocked Gaulke out of the game in the third inning, and came after three Ely errors led four unearned runs.
Two Harbors gave winning pitcher Tim Luoma plenty of cushion, and the righthander worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the first inning, finishing with a four-hitter and three strikeouts.
Brody Skala and Gage Merhar knocked in runs in a losing cause for Ely.
In the nightcap, three Ely errors in the top of the first led to four Esko runs, and that all but decided the contest.
Jeff Willis and Kyle Durbin drove in runs in the second inning to trim the lead to 5-3, but Esko came with four runs in the top of the fourth, helped by two Ely errors.
Tyler Peterson had two hits and two runs batted in for Esko, and winning pitcher Derek Peterson scattered seven hits with four strikeouts.
Merhar singled and tripled for Ely, while Elliot Omerza was tagged with the pitching loss. He gave up eight hits but also walked 10 batters.
In other DQ Classic action, Foley clinched first-place in the abbreviated, rain-shortened tournament with a a 5-0 win over Roseau and a 5-2 triumph against Kenyon. Roseau outscored Two Harbors 8-7.
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Rain washes away day two at DQ Classic
Seven American Legion baseball teams lost handily to Mother Nature Saturday at Ely's DQ Grill and Chill Classic.
For the first time in the 28-year history of the tournament, an entire Saturday was washed out because of rain.
Seven DQ Classic games and Ely's third annual Alumni Game were casualties of the weather, with steady rains beginning shortly before 8 a.m. and continuing throughout the day.
As a result, Sunday's schedule has been adjusted to include five six-inning games at Veterans Memorial Field, starting at 8:30 a.m.
The lineup is as follows:
8:30 a.m, - Roseau vs. Foley;
10:30 a.m. - Foley vs. Kenyon;
12:30 p.m. - Roseau vs. Two Harbors;
2:30 p.m. - Ely vs. Two Harbors;
4:30 p.m. - Ely vs. Esko.
Friday, June 19, 2015
Poor start, errors cost Ely in DQ opener
A disastrous first inning set the tone Friday night, and Ely never really recovered in opening round action in the 28th Annual DQ Grill and Chill Classic.
Two Ely errors led to four unearned runs in the top of the first, and Roseau lefty Logan Monsrud had all the support he needed in a 10-2 win at Veterans Memorial Field.
Monsrud finished with a four-hitter and five strikeouts, while Roseau needed just six hits to score the lopsided win, thanks to five Ely errors in the contest.
Nearly every Ely miscue proved to be costly, with a pair of first-inning errors extending the frame and Levi Butler capping it off with a two-run single to center.
It was 5-0 before Ely got on the board in the third, thanks to hits by Jeff Willis and losing pitcher Patrick Huisman.
Roseau put the game away with three runs in the fifth, only one of which was earned.
Trevor McMillin had two hits for Roseau, while teammate Tanner Landman scored twice
Spencer Gaulke singled and scored a run for Ely in the seventh.
Huisman yielded one earned run and five hits in five innings, while Andy Krunkkala came on in relief..
In other first round action Friday, Deer River scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh and stunned Two Harbors 9-8, while Kenyon outscored Deer River 13-9 in the tournament opener. Central Minnesota powerhouse Foley blew out Esko 15-1 in five innings.
Action continues Saturday with seven games, five in Ely and two more at Legion Field in Soudan. Also on the docket is the Ely Alumni Game, set for 5:30 p.m.
Two Ely errors led to four unearned runs in the top of the first, and Roseau lefty Logan Monsrud had all the support he needed in a 10-2 win at Veterans Memorial Field.
Monsrud finished with a four-hitter and five strikeouts, while Roseau needed just six hits to score the lopsided win, thanks to five Ely errors in the contest.
Nearly every Ely miscue proved to be costly, with a pair of first-inning errors extending the frame and Levi Butler capping it off with a two-run single to center.
It was 5-0 before Ely got on the board in the third, thanks to hits by Jeff Willis and losing pitcher Patrick Huisman.
Roseau put the game away with three runs in the fifth, only one of which was earned.
Trevor McMillin had two hits for Roseau, while teammate Tanner Landman scored twice
Spencer Gaulke singled and scored a run for Ely in the seventh.
Huisman yielded one earned run and five hits in five innings, while Andy Krunkkala came on in relief..
In other first round action Friday, Deer River scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh and stunned Two Harbors 9-8, while Kenyon outscored Deer River 13-9 in the tournament opener. Central Minnesota powerhouse Foley blew out Esko 15-1 in five innings.
Action continues Saturday with seven games, five in Ely and two more at Legion Field in Soudan. Also on the docket is the Ely Alumni Game, set for 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Schedule set for 28th DQ Classic
The 28th annual DQ Grill and Chill Classic has a small-town feel.
The seven-team tournament, which starts Friday at Veterans Memorial Field, consists entirely of Division II squads for the first time in the nearly three-decade history of the event.
Host Ely will be joined by district rivals Two Harbors, Deer River and Esko, and three out-of-the-area teams that are contenders in their own respective districts.
Foley, a DQ Classic mainstay and last year's third-place finisher in the Division II state tournament as does Roseau, Ely's Friday night (8 p.m.) opponent. Moving to the DQ Classic this year after participating in the Sir G's Midsummer Classic the last three years is Kenyon, a southern Minnesota D2 power.
The tournament gets underway with four games Friday (see schedule), with Saturday's slate set to include six contests at Veterans Memorial Field and two more in neighboring Soudan.
Part of the Saturday lineup is the annual Ely Legion Alumni Game, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. More than 20 former Ely players plan to participate in the event.
DQ Grill and Chill Classic Schedule
Friday
12:30 p.m. - Kenyon vs. Deer River
3:00 p.m. - Deer River vs. Two Harbors
5:30 p.m.- Foley vs. Esko
8:00 p.m. - Ely vs. Roseau
Saturday
8:30 a.m. - Esko vs. Kenyon
10:45 a.m. - Roseau vs. Foley
11:45 a.m. - Esko vs. Two Harbors (AT SOUDAN)
1:00 p.m. - Ely vs. Kenyon
2:15 p.m. - Roseau vs. Deer River (AT SOUDAN)
3:15 p.m.- Two Harbors vs. Foley
5:30 p.m.- Ely Alumni Game
7:45 p.m. - Ely vs. Deer River
Sunday
10:00 a.m. - Foley vs. Kenyon
12:30 p.m. - Roseau vs. Two Harbors
3:00 p.m. - Ely vs. Esko
The seven-team tournament, which starts Friday at Veterans Memorial Field, consists entirely of Division II squads for the first time in the nearly three-decade history of the event.
Host Ely will be joined by district rivals Two Harbors, Deer River and Esko, and three out-of-the-area teams that are contenders in their own respective districts.
Foley, a DQ Classic mainstay and last year's third-place finisher in the Division II state tournament as does Roseau, Ely's Friday night (8 p.m.) opponent. Moving to the DQ Classic this year after participating in the Sir G's Midsummer Classic the last three years is Kenyon, a southern Minnesota D2 power.
The tournament gets underway with four games Friday (see schedule), with Saturday's slate set to include six contests at Veterans Memorial Field and two more in neighboring Soudan.
Part of the Saturday lineup is the annual Ely Legion Alumni Game, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. More than 20 former Ely players plan to participate in the event.
DQ Grill and Chill Classic Schedule
Friday
12:30 p.m. - Kenyon vs. Deer River
3:00 p.m. - Deer River vs. Two Harbors
5:30 p.m.- Foley vs. Esko
8:00 p.m. - Ely vs. Roseau
Saturday
8:30 a.m. - Esko vs. Kenyon
10:45 a.m. - Roseau vs. Foley
11:45 a.m. - Esko vs. Two Harbors (AT SOUDAN)
1:00 p.m. - Ely vs. Kenyon
2:15 p.m. - Roseau vs. Deer River (AT SOUDAN)
3:15 p.m.- Two Harbors vs. Foley
5:30 p.m.- Ely Alumni Game
7:45 p.m. - Ely vs. Deer River
Sunday
10:00 a.m. - Foley vs. Kenyon
12:30 p.m. - Roseau vs. Two Harbors
3:00 p.m. - Ely vs. Esko
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Ely leaves record 15 on base in loss to Taconite
Ely's American Legion baseball team set a record, but a dubious one at that, Monday night at Veterans Memorial Field.
Post 248 left a whopping 15 runners on base, believed to be the most in team history for a seven-inning game, and fell 7-4 to visiting Taconite in an Eighth District Division II contest.
Opportunities came nearly every inning for Ely, but the hosts left the bases loaded three times and had two runners erased via double-plays.
Meanwhile, Kole Kalisch blasted a two-run homer to left-center in the top of the fifth, snapping a two-all deadlock and sending the West Range visitors on their way.
Taconite, which includes players from the Greenway and Nashwauk-Keewatin, had 11 hits against losing pitcher Will Gustafson but just four of its seven runs were earned, thanks to four Ely errors.
Kyle Durbin reached base five times and went three-for-four with two runs batted in for Ely, while teammates Elliot Omerza and Dylan Kienitz added two hits each.
Trailing 5-3 in the sixth, Ely loaded the bases with no outs but came up empty, thanks to a double-play ball coaxed by Kalisch, who came on in relief of winning pitcher Jacob Neumeier.
Taconite tacked on two insurance runs in the top of the seventh, but Ely countered with one run in the bottom of the frame and loaded the bases again, only to come up short.
In exhibition action Tuesday night, host Moose Lake spotted Ely a 4-0 lead but roared back and won 14-4 in six innings. The Outlaws ripped 15 hits, four by Brad Fossum.
Post 248 left a whopping 15 runners on base, believed to be the most in team history for a seven-inning game, and fell 7-4 to visiting Taconite in an Eighth District Division II contest.
Opportunities came nearly every inning for Ely, but the hosts left the bases loaded three times and had two runners erased via double-plays.
Meanwhile, Kole Kalisch blasted a two-run homer to left-center in the top of the fifth, snapping a two-all deadlock and sending the West Range visitors on their way.
Taconite, which includes players from the Greenway and Nashwauk-Keewatin, had 11 hits against losing pitcher Will Gustafson but just four of its seven runs were earned, thanks to four Ely errors.
Kyle Durbin reached base five times and went three-for-four with two runs batted in for Ely, while teammates Elliot Omerza and Dylan Kienitz added two hits each.
Trailing 5-3 in the sixth, Ely loaded the bases with no outs but came up empty, thanks to a double-play ball coaxed by Kalisch, who came on in relief of winning pitcher Jacob Neumeier.
Taconite tacked on two insurance runs in the top of the seventh, but Ely countered with one run in the bottom of the frame and loaded the bases again, only to come up short.
In exhibition action Tuesday night, host Moose Lake spotted Ely a 4-0 lead but roared back and won 14-4 in six innings. The Outlaws ripped 15 hits, four by Brad Fossum.
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Ely splits at Wade
Ely's American Legion baseball team survived a disastrous inning and rebounded to win the opening game of a Friday evening doubleheader at Wade Stadium.
Cook County erased an 8-0 Ely lead with eight runs in the top of the fourth, but Post 248 weathered the storm and went on to an 11-8 victory behind the pitching of junior Patrick Huisman.
In the nightcap, Ely couldn't solve Cook County's Frankie Miller, who fired a three-hitter in a 7-3 win.
Post 248 seemed to be cruising in the opener after a seven-run first inning, but Cook County took advantage of four Ely errors and had a big inning of its own in the fourth, when it sent 12 batters to the plate.
But Huisman didn't give up a run the rest of the way and finished with an eight-hitter, eight strikeouts and his second win of the summer.
Ely regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth, when Brody Skala singled in Jeff Willis. Skala also knocked in a run in Post 248's two-run sixth.
Will Gustafson had a two-run single in the opening frame and wound up with two hits and three runs batted in.
Miller held Ely without a hit through five innings of the second game, and his teammates staked the righthander to a 4-0 lead.
That held up until the sixth, when an error, three walks and a hit batter helped Ely slice the lead to one.
But Miller stranded the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position, and Cook County got three unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth against reliever Spencer Gaulke.
Elliot Omerza took the loss, working the first three innings with Gaulke coming on in relief.
Ely returns to action Monday night against district rival Taconite, with the opening pitch slated for 7 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Field.
Cook County erased an 8-0 Ely lead with eight runs in the top of the fourth, but Post 248 weathered the storm and went on to an 11-8 victory behind the pitching of junior Patrick Huisman.
In the nightcap, Ely couldn't solve Cook County's Frankie Miller, who fired a three-hitter in a 7-3 win.
Post 248 seemed to be cruising in the opener after a seven-run first inning, but Cook County took advantage of four Ely errors and had a big inning of its own in the fourth, when it sent 12 batters to the plate.
But Huisman didn't give up a run the rest of the way and finished with an eight-hitter, eight strikeouts and his second win of the summer.
Ely regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth, when Brody Skala singled in Jeff Willis. Skala also knocked in a run in Post 248's two-run sixth.
Will Gustafson had a two-run single in the opening frame and wound up with two hits and three runs batted in.
Miller held Ely without a hit through five innings of the second game, and his teammates staked the righthander to a 4-0 lead.
That held up until the sixth, when an error, three walks and a hit batter helped Ely slice the lead to one.
But Miller stranded the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position, and Cook County got three unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth against reliever Spencer Gaulke.
Elliot Omerza took the loss, working the first three innings with Gaulke coming on in relief.
Ely returns to action Monday night against district rival Taconite, with the opening pitch slated for 7 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Field.
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Skala powers Ely to first win
Brody Skala is making a big impact in his first season in an Ely American Legion baseball uniform.
Skala's double in the bottom of the seventh gave Ely a walkoff, 9-8 win over district rival Two Harbors Wednesday night at Veterans Memorial Field.
And two innings earlier, Skala's first career home run - a two-run blast over the center field fence - powered a five-run Ely uprising.
The hits keyed Post 248's first win of the season, a seesaw affair.
Skala's home run and a two-run triple by Kyle Durbin put the hosts up 8-4 after five innings, but Two Harbors countered with three runs in the sixth, then nicked reliever Pat Huisman for a run with two outs in the top of the seventh.
That set the stage for the bottom half of the frame, when Huisman and Gage Merhar drew two-out walks, and Skala followed with his shot to the left-center gap.
Skala wound up with three runs batted in for the winners, while teammates Durbin and Will Gustafson added two hits each.
Huisman worked an inning on the mound and got the win, relieving Gustsafson, who scattered 10 hits in six frames.
Starting pitcher Lucas Kempffer had two hits for Two Harbors, while reliever Easton Best - the third Two Harbors pitcher - was tagged with the loss.
Ely is back in action Friday with a doubleheader against Cook County, at Duluth's renovated Wade Stadium. The first pitch is at 4:30 p.m.
Skala's double in the bottom of the seventh gave Ely a walkoff, 9-8 win over district rival Two Harbors Wednesday night at Veterans Memorial Field.
And two innings earlier, Skala's first career home run - a two-run blast over the center field fence - powered a five-run Ely uprising.
The hits keyed Post 248's first win of the season, a seesaw affair.
Skala's home run and a two-run triple by Kyle Durbin put the hosts up 8-4 after five innings, but Two Harbors countered with three runs in the sixth, then nicked reliever Pat Huisman for a run with two outs in the top of the seventh.
That set the stage for the bottom half of the frame, when Huisman and Gage Merhar drew two-out walks, and Skala followed with his shot to the left-center gap.
Skala wound up with three runs batted in for the winners, while teammates Durbin and Will Gustafson added two hits each.
Huisman worked an inning on the mound and got the win, relieving Gustsafson, who scattered 10 hits in six frames.
Starting pitcher Lucas Kempffer had two hits for Two Harbors, while reliever Easton Best - the third Two Harbors pitcher - was tagged with the loss.
Ely is back in action Friday with a doubleheader against Cook County, at Duluth's renovated Wade Stadium. The first pitch is at 4:30 p.m.
Friday, June 5, 2015
Moose Lake sweeps Ely
A late rally gave visiting Moose Lake a second-game victory and a sweep of Ely's season-opening American Legion baseball doubleheader Friday night at Veterans Memorial Field.
Chris Carlson's bases-clearing double tied the game in the sixth, and the winning run scored in the eighth inning on a passed ball as the visitors pulled off a 7-6 victory.
Brad Fossum went five-for-five in the opener and Rex Janke limited Post 248 to four hits in a 12-2, first-game decision.
The contest of the day was the nightcap, as Alex Marafiot's two-run single capped a three-run top of the sixth and put Ely up 6-3. Ely was the visiting team in the second game of the Eighth District Division II league twinbill.
But Post 248's lead was short-lived as Moose Lake came back with three runs in its half of the frame, all on Carlson's key blow.
The winners pushed across a run in the eighth against losing pitcher Spencer Gaulke, who came on in relief of starter Patrick Huisman, who gave up nine hits in six frames and allowed three earned runs.
Huisman and Gaulke had two hits each for Ely, as did Tayler Banks. Brody Skala ripped a run-scoring double.
In the opening game, Moose Lake scored nine runs in the last three frames, pulling away after Ely trimmed the lead to 3-2.
Fossum stoked the winners' offense, and Moose Lake also capitalized on three Ely errors. Losing pitcher Will Gustafson struck out five in five innings of work, and both Willis and Gaulke had two hits each for Post 248.
Ely returns to action Wednesday, at home, against Two Harbors.
Chris Carlson's bases-clearing double tied the game in the sixth, and the winning run scored in the eighth inning on a passed ball as the visitors pulled off a 7-6 victory.
Brad Fossum went five-for-five in the opener and Rex Janke limited Post 248 to four hits in a 12-2, first-game decision.
The contest of the day was the nightcap, as Alex Marafiot's two-run single capped a three-run top of the sixth and put Ely up 6-3. Ely was the visiting team in the second game of the Eighth District Division II league twinbill.
But Post 248's lead was short-lived as Moose Lake came back with three runs in its half of the frame, all on Carlson's key blow.
The winners pushed across a run in the eighth against losing pitcher Spencer Gaulke, who came on in relief of starter Patrick Huisman, who gave up nine hits in six frames and allowed three earned runs.
Huisman and Gaulke had two hits each for Ely, as did Tayler Banks. Brody Skala ripped a run-scoring double.
In the opening game, Moose Lake scored nine runs in the last three frames, pulling away after Ely trimmed the lead to 3-2.
Fossum stoked the winners' offense, and Moose Lake also capitalized on three Ely errors. Losing pitcher Will Gustafson struck out five in five innings of work, and both Willis and Gaulke had two hits each for Post 248.
Ely returns to action Wednesday, at home, against Two Harbors.
Thursday, June 4, 2015
VFW Tourney starts Friday in Ely
Ely's American Legion baseball opener marks just the start of a busy weekend at Veterans Memorial Field.
Following Post 248's season-opening twinbill with Moose Lake Friday, play begins that night in the seven-team Taste of Ely VFW Classic.
Host Ely takes on Thunder Bay under the lights at 8 p.m., setting the stage for two full days of action Saturday and Sunday.
The schedule includes:
Saturday - at Ely
10:00 a.m. - Virginia vs. Greenway
12:30 p.m. - Ely vs. Grand Rapids Orange
3:00 p.m. - Edina vs. Thunder Bay
5:30 p.m.- West Duluth vs. Thunder Bay
8:00 p.m. - Ely vs. Edina
Saturday - at Soudan
1:30 p.m. - Greenway vs. West Duluth
4:00 p.m. - Virginia vs. Grand Rapids Orange
Sunday - at Ely
10:00 a.m. - Edina vs. Grand Rapids Orange
12:15 p.m. - West Duluth vs. Virginia
2:30 p.m. - West Duluth vs. Grand Rapids Orange
4:45 p.m - Ely vs. Greenway
Sunday - at Soudan
11:00 a.m. - Thunder Bay vs. Greenway
3:30 p.m. - Virginia vs. Edina
Following Post 248's season-opening twinbill with Moose Lake Friday, play begins that night in the seven-team Taste of Ely VFW Classic.
Host Ely takes on Thunder Bay under the lights at 8 p.m., setting the stage for two full days of action Saturday and Sunday.
The schedule includes:
Saturday - at Ely
10:00 a.m. - Virginia vs. Greenway
12:30 p.m. - Ely vs. Grand Rapids Orange
3:00 p.m. - Edina vs. Thunder Bay
5:30 p.m.- West Duluth vs. Thunder Bay
8:00 p.m. - Ely vs. Edina
Saturday - at Soudan
1:30 p.m. - Greenway vs. West Duluth
4:00 p.m. - Virginia vs. Grand Rapids Orange
Sunday - at Ely
10:00 a.m. - Edina vs. Grand Rapids Orange
12:15 p.m. - West Duluth vs. Virginia
2:30 p.m. - West Duluth vs. Grand Rapids Orange
4:45 p.m - Ely vs. Greenway
Sunday - at Soudan
11:00 a.m. - Thunder Bay vs. Greenway
3:30 p.m. - Virginia vs. Edina
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Season opener moved up, set for Friday at Veterans Memorial Field
Ely's 2015 American Legion baseball season will start a bit earlier than first anticipated.
Post 248 will host Moose Lake in a doubleheader starting at 4 p.m. Friday at Veterans Memorial Field, launching another season of summer baseball in Ely.
The twinbill was finalized Tuesday after Moose Lake's scheduled trip to Taconite was postponed.
Ely, which went 20-12 and finished third in the Eighth District Division II playoffs a year ago, is counting on a mix of returning and new talent in a bid to contend in the district. College freshman Will Gustafson, the likely opening game starter, heads the pitching staff after winning four games and striking out a batter per inning last year.
Junior Patrick Huisman is also back after going 4-0 with a 2.03 earned run average last year and driving in a team-high 24 runs. Other top returning hitters include second baseman Elliot Omerza (.333), left fielder Cole Kellogg (.308), centerfielder Jeff Willis (.292) and outfielder/first baseman Spencer Gaulke (.290). Ely is also likely to get a boost in the middle of its lineup from freshman catcher Gage Merhar, who earned All-Arrowhead Conference status in high school and hit over .450 this spring.
The doubleheader kicks off a better than 25-game regular season schedule for Post 248, which includes two upcoming home tournaments, the eight-team DQ Grill and Chill Classic (June 19-21) and the 12-team Sir G's Midsummer Classic (July 10-12).
Friday's games also lead up to the first tournament of the year at the ballpark, the seven-team Taste of Ely VFW Classic. Ely takes on Thunder Bay at 8 p.m. Friday to open an event that runs through Sunday afternoon.
Post 248 will host Moose Lake in a doubleheader starting at 4 p.m. Friday at Veterans Memorial Field, launching another season of summer baseball in Ely.
The twinbill was finalized Tuesday after Moose Lake's scheduled trip to Taconite was postponed.
Ely, which went 20-12 and finished third in the Eighth District Division II playoffs a year ago, is counting on a mix of returning and new talent in a bid to contend in the district. College freshman Will Gustafson, the likely opening game starter, heads the pitching staff after winning four games and striking out a batter per inning last year.
Junior Patrick Huisman is also back after going 4-0 with a 2.03 earned run average last year and driving in a team-high 24 runs. Other top returning hitters include second baseman Elliot Omerza (.333), left fielder Cole Kellogg (.308), centerfielder Jeff Willis (.292) and outfielder/first baseman Spencer Gaulke (.290). Ely is also likely to get a boost in the middle of its lineup from freshman catcher Gage Merhar, who earned All-Arrowhead Conference status in high school and hit over .450 this spring.
The doubleheader kicks off a better than 25-game regular season schedule for Post 248, which includes two upcoming home tournaments, the eight-team DQ Grill and Chill Classic (June 19-21) and the 12-team Sir G's Midsummer Classic (July 10-12).
Friday's games also lead up to the first tournament of the year at the ballpark, the seven-team Taste of Ely VFW Classic. Ely takes on Thunder Bay at 8 p.m. Friday to open an event that runs through Sunday afternoon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)