Two wins and a first place trophy: Ely takes DQ Classic

In a matter of a few hours, Ely's American Legion baseball team picked up a league win, a home tournament victory and a first-place trophy.

Post 248 erased a 4-0 deficit and scored 14 unanswered runs to turn back Hibbing in five innings and clinch first place in the eight-team DQ Grill and Chill Classic at Veterans Memorial Field.

Earlier Sunday, in a game that did not count in the tournament standings, Ely erupted for 15 runs in the top of the seventh to beat Brookston 22-6 in an 8th District Division II contest.

By going 3-1 in the tournament, Ely won the DQ Classic title and the Blizzard Cup Trophy by way of a tiebreaker over Taconite and Foley.

After a slow start, Ely's bats caught fire. Will Gustafson's squeeze bunt broke a three-all deadlock and put Post 248 in front to stay against Brookston.  Brookston would cut a 7-3 Ely lead to one run heading into the seventh, but the hosts sent 20 batters to the plate, scored 15 times and had 10 hits in the final frame.

Riley Bernsdorf had a two-run single, Nick Mathews had a two-run double and Jory Johnson had a bases-clearing double for the winners.

Cody Bialik may have had Ely's best day of all, going three-for-four with four runs scored and three runs batted in against Brookston, and getting two more his against Hibbing.

Sean Fisher had three hits in the opening contest, while Bernsdorf went two-for-three with three runs scored and four RBI against Hibbing. Louie Gerzin had two hits and three RBI in the nightcap.

Gustafson worked four innings to get the win in the opener and got relief help from Bradley Roy and Max Gantt, while Jared Poderzay scattered seven hits and allowed two earned runs while picking up his first career Legion win.

Ely, now 5-1 overall, takes on Deer River at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Veterans Memorial Field.

In other DQ Classic action Sunday:
• Chisholm 20, Esko 3 (5);
• Foley 10, Minnetonka 8.