An elusive third out was Ely's undoing Sunday afternoon in the Division II Central Plains Regional championship game.
Three walks, a bad-hop single and a wild pitch - all after two outs were recorded - allowed host Wahpeton to rally for a 3-1 victory and spoil Post 248's quest for the regional crown.
Seth Meide's two-run ground ball took a wicked hop and evaded Ely third baseman Trevor Bernsdorf, allowing the tying and go-ahead runs to score as Wahpeton (47-5) erased a 1-0 deficit in the next-to-last frame. A wild pitch by losing pitcher Wes Snyder brought in Preston Kath, and winning pitcher and tournament MVP Jeremy Bontjes retired Ely in order in the seventh, giving the tournament hosts and North Dakota runner-up its first regional championship.
Ely, which finished second in last weekend's Minnesota state tournament and was making its second consecutive regional bid, finished 32-11.
For five innings, it looked as if Ely would win the tournament as Snyder kept Wahpeton off the board.
But Ely, which won its first three games in the regional including a 6-4 Saturday decision over Wahpeton, misfired on many scoring opportunities.
Nick Mathews' sacrifice fly plated Sean Fisher in teh top of the third, but Post 248 left the bases loaded in teh second and stranded two more runners in the third.
Bontjes, who relieved starter Tyler Gripentrop, worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth and induced double-play balls in both the fifth and sixth frames. Ely stranded 11 runners through six innings.
Snyder, who suffered only his third loss of the year, gave up four hits and recorded six strikeouts.
Mathews had two of Ely's five hits while Jory Johnson added a second-inning double.
Johnson, Bernsdorf and Snyder all made the 12-player all-tournament team.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Despite first regional loss, Ely plays one game Sunday for championship
Plato kept its regional title hopes alive Saturday night while Ely suffered its first defeat in a 10-0 drubbing in the Division II Central Plains Tournament.
The Minnesota state champions roughed up four Ely pitchers, pounding 15 hits and advancing to take on Wahpeton at 1 p.m. Sunday.
Ely (32-10) awaits the winner at 3:30 p.m. in the championship game. Post 248 secured its spot in the finals earlier in the day with a 6-4 win over Wahpeton, a victory that left Ely as the tournament's final unbeaten team.
But Ely was unable to keep its hot streak going Saturday night, struggling against winning pitcher Derek Bratsch, who tossed a four-hitter and struck out three.
Plato got single runs in the first and second frames and knocked out Ely starter Riley Bernsdorf in the third, taking a 4-0 lead.
Behind three hits from Adam Prehn and two doubles from Derek Weber, Plato added to its lead and led 9-0 through five innings.
Will Gustafson relieved Bernsdorf while Bradley Roy tossed a scoreless sixth for Post 248. Plato added a run against Jory Johnson in the final frame.
Gustafson had two of the four Ely hits.
Wahpeton stayed alive in the tournament by defeating Wisconsin Dells 9-4 in eight innings.
Sunday's tournament action can be followed online at www.wahpetonbaseball.org.
The Minnesota state champions roughed up four Ely pitchers, pounding 15 hits and advancing to take on Wahpeton at 1 p.m. Sunday.
Ely (32-10) awaits the winner at 3:30 p.m. in the championship game. Post 248 secured its spot in the finals earlier in the day with a 6-4 win over Wahpeton, a victory that left Ely as the tournament's final unbeaten team.
But Ely was unable to keep its hot streak going Saturday night, struggling against winning pitcher Derek Bratsch, who tossed a four-hitter and struck out three.
Plato got single runs in the first and second frames and knocked out Ely starter Riley Bernsdorf in the third, taking a 4-0 lead.
Behind three hits from Adam Prehn and two doubles from Derek Weber, Plato added to its lead and led 9-0 through five innings.
Will Gustafson relieved Bernsdorf while Bradley Roy tossed a scoreless sixth for Post 248. Plato added a run against Jory Johnson in the final frame.
Gustafson had two of the four Ely hits.
Wahpeton stayed alive in the tournament by defeating Wisconsin Dells 9-4 in eight innings.
Sunday's tournament action can be followed online at www.wahpetonbaseball.org.
Big inning, Helget carry Ely into regional finals
A six-run explosion in the bottom of the second and a gritty pitching performance by Greg Helget were the difference Saturday afternoon as Ely beat Wahpeton (N.D.) and earned a spot in the Division II Central Plains Regional finals.
After walking eight batters in an abbeviated start on Friday, Helget bounced back with a solid outing against the tournament hosts and North Dakota runners-up. The senior righthander took a 6-0 lead into the sixth before tiring, and Wahpeton (44-5) opened the frame with three hits and a walk.
Helget gave way to Wes Snyder, who retired six straight batters to close out the win, Ely's program-record 32nd of the year. Now 8-2 this year, Helget went five-plus innings and gave up five hits with three strikeouts.
Ely got all the offense it would need in the second, when it sent 11 batters to the plate and quieted the home crowd. Jory Johnson's two-run single got Post 248 on the board, and Ely made it 3-0 on Sean Fisher's two-out infield single. An error prolonged the inning and put another run on the board, and Snyder closed out the rally with his second hit of the frame - a two-run single to center.
Ely finished with seven hits, including two apiece by Snyder and Johnson, against two Wahpeton pitchers.
While Ely is assured of a spot in the tournament finals and can finish no worse than second in the regional, it must play another game at 6 p.m. Saturday against Minnesota champion Plato.
A victory would knock Plato from the tournament and match Ely up against either Wahpeton or Wisconsin Dells in Sunday's finals, with either opponent needing to beat Post 248 twice to win the championship.
If Ely loses against Plato, it would nonetheless get a bye into Sunday's final, with Plato taking on either Wahpeton or Wisconsin Dells, and the winner advancing to play Ely at 3:30 p.m.
After walking eight batters in an abbeviated start on Friday, Helget bounced back with a solid outing against the tournament hosts and North Dakota runners-up. The senior righthander took a 6-0 lead into the sixth before tiring, and Wahpeton (44-5) opened the frame with three hits and a walk.
Helget gave way to Wes Snyder, who retired six straight batters to close out the win, Ely's program-record 32nd of the year. Now 8-2 this year, Helget went five-plus innings and gave up five hits with three strikeouts.
Ely got all the offense it would need in the second, when it sent 11 batters to the plate and quieted the home crowd. Jory Johnson's two-run single got Post 248 on the board, and Ely made it 3-0 on Sean Fisher's two-out infield single. An error prolonged the inning and put another run on the board, and Snyder closed out the rally with his second hit of the frame - a two-run single to center.
Ely finished with seven hits, including two apiece by Snyder and Johnson, against two Wahpeton pitchers.
While Ely is assured of a spot in the tournament finals and can finish no worse than second in the regional, it must play another game at 6 p.m. Saturday against Minnesota champion Plato.
A victory would knock Plato from the tournament and match Ely up against either Wahpeton or Wisconsin Dells in Sunday's finals, with either opponent needing to beat Post 248 twice to win the championship.
If Ely loses against Plato, it would nonetheless get a bye into Sunday's final, with Plato taking on either Wahpeton or Wisconsin Dells, and the winner advancing to play Ely at 3:30 p.m.
Friday, August 10, 2012
A North Dakota hit parade: Ely stuns Kansas champs, 9-6
A 15-hit barrage, a gutty relief outing and some key defensive plays gave Ely its second win in as many days at the Division II Central Plains Regional.
Post 248 got three hits apiece from Nick Mathews and Greg Helget, while Trevor Bernsdorf pitched five and two-thirds innings of relief in a 9-6 winners brackt decision over Kansas champ Iola (41-5).
Ely (31-9) moves into the winners' bracket final at 1 p.m. Saturday, against either Plato (Minn.) or Wahpeton (N.D.).
It was a rollercoaster ride of sorts for Ely, which jumped out to a 5-0 lead after an inning-and-a-half but watched Iola score three times without a hit in the bottom of the second, as Helget was knocked from the mound.
The Ely starter battled control problems and walked eight batters before giving way to Bernsdorf, who escaped a bases-loaded jam in the second and settled in for his third straight win.
Meanwhile, Post 248 got needed insurance by scoring once in the fifth, twice in the sixth and one more in the seventh.
Mathews ripped a double and scored on a Helget single in the fifth, putting Ely up 6-3. Iola cut the gap to 6-4 on Jerrik Sigg's solo homer, but Ely bounced right back in the sixth.
That's when Ely scored on consecutive hits by Bernsdorf, Snyder and Mathews.
Iola trimmed the gap to 8-6 in the sixth, but Bernsdorf knocked in Helget to make it 9-6 in the seventh.
Bernsdorf, who scattered eight hits, retired Iola on one hit in the final frame.
With the win, Post 248 has matched an all-time single-season record for wins and can break the mark tomorrow.
Three more games are in store in Wahpeton today and action can be followed online at www.wahpetonbaseball.org, with a video feed at webcast50.com, under Wahpeton High School and live events.
Post 248 got three hits apiece from Nick Mathews and Greg Helget, while Trevor Bernsdorf pitched five and two-thirds innings of relief in a 9-6 winners brackt decision over Kansas champ Iola (41-5).
Ely (31-9) moves into the winners' bracket final at 1 p.m. Saturday, against either Plato (Minn.) or Wahpeton (N.D.).
It was a rollercoaster ride of sorts for Ely, which jumped out to a 5-0 lead after an inning-and-a-half but watched Iola score three times without a hit in the bottom of the second, as Helget was knocked from the mound.
The Ely starter battled control problems and walked eight batters before giving way to Bernsdorf, who escaped a bases-loaded jam in the second and settled in for his third straight win.
Meanwhile, Post 248 got needed insurance by scoring once in the fifth, twice in the sixth and one more in the seventh.
Mathews ripped a double and scored on a Helget single in the fifth, putting Ely up 6-3. Iola cut the gap to 6-4 on Jerrik Sigg's solo homer, but Ely bounced right back in the sixth.
That's when Ely scored on consecutive hits by Bernsdorf, Snyder and Mathews.
Iola trimmed the gap to 8-6 in the sixth, but Bernsdorf knocked in Helget to make it 9-6 in the seventh.
Bernsdorf, who scattered eight hits, retired Iola on one hit in the final frame.
With the win, Post 248 has matched an all-time single-season record for wins and can break the mark tomorrow.
Three more games are in store in Wahpeton today and action can be followed online at www.wahpetonbaseball.org, with a video feed at webcast50.com, under Wahpeton High School and live events.
Redemption in the regional: Snyder, Ely blank Las Vegas
Ely finally caught a break Thursday in Wahpeton, N.D.
After losing two regional games last summer in heartbreaking fashion, and following a pair of walkoff defeats last weekend in the state tournament, Post 248 turned the tables in its Division II Central Plains opener, scoring in the bottom of the seventh to beat Shadow Ridge (Las Vegas, Nev.) 1-0.
Trevor Bernsdorf scored all the way from second base when Wes Snyder's two-out ground ball was misplayed by the Shadow Ridge second baseman, and Ely advanced into a winners' bracket game on Friday with Iola, Kan.
Post 248 prevailed in a contest dominated by two pitchers: Snyder and Logan Hold. Ely's senior lefthander retired 14 consecutive batters in one stretch and finished with a two-hitter and 11 strikeouts.
Hold, meanwhile, was the tough-luck losing pitcher while giving up only two hits.
Snyder walked two batters in the first but the Ely ace stranded runners at the corners and went into shutdown mode, holding Las Vegas without a hit until the sixth.
Ely wasted a one-out double by Snyder in the second inning and didn't threaten again until the final frame.
That's when Trevor Bernsdorf opened the inning with an infield hit. Riley Bernsdorf moved his older brother over with a sacrifice bunt, but Hold retired Nick Mathews with a ground out. Snyder followed with a ground ball that evaded the glove of the Las Vegas second baseman, and Ely had its first regional win since 2005.
Ely lost two straight games at last year's regional - one by one run and the other in eight innings.
In other first round action Thursday:
* Iola (Kan.) 11, Grafton (N.D.) 4;
* Plato (Minn). 3, Wisconsin Dells (Wis.) 2 (10)
* Wahpeton (N.D.) 4, Groton (S.D.) 3.
The tournament continues Friday with six games. Action can be followed online at www.wahpetonbaseball.org.
After losing two regional games last summer in heartbreaking fashion, and following a pair of walkoff defeats last weekend in the state tournament, Post 248 turned the tables in its Division II Central Plains opener, scoring in the bottom of the seventh to beat Shadow Ridge (Las Vegas, Nev.) 1-0.
Trevor Bernsdorf scored all the way from second base when Wes Snyder's two-out ground ball was misplayed by the Shadow Ridge second baseman, and Ely advanced into a winners' bracket game on Friday with Iola, Kan.
Post 248 prevailed in a contest dominated by two pitchers: Snyder and Logan Hold. Ely's senior lefthander retired 14 consecutive batters in one stretch and finished with a two-hitter and 11 strikeouts.
Hold, meanwhile, was the tough-luck losing pitcher while giving up only two hits.
Snyder walked two batters in the first but the Ely ace stranded runners at the corners and went into shutdown mode, holding Las Vegas without a hit until the sixth.
Ely wasted a one-out double by Snyder in the second inning and didn't threaten again until the final frame.
That's when Trevor Bernsdorf opened the inning with an infield hit. Riley Bernsdorf moved his older brother over with a sacrifice bunt, but Hold retired Nick Mathews with a ground out. Snyder followed with a ground ball that evaded the glove of the Las Vegas second baseman, and Ely had its first regional win since 2005.
Ely lost two straight games at last year's regional - one by one run and the other in eight innings.
In other first round action Thursday:
* Iola (Kan.) 11, Grafton (N.D.) 4;
* Plato (Minn). 3, Wisconsin Dells (Wis.) 2 (10)
* Wahpeton (N.D.) 4, Groton (S.D.) 3.
The tournament continues Friday with six games. Action can be followed online at www.wahpetonbaseball.org.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Look west, Ely Legion: Vegas foe looms in regional opener
Ely will play the opening game of the day when the Division II Central Plains Regional begins Thursday at Wahpeton, N.D.
Post 248 plays in the regional for a second straight year after a second consecutive runner-up finish in the state tournament, and will take on Shadow Ridge, Nevada at 11 a.m. in the first of four first-round contests.
Ely (29-9) draws the Nevada state champions, who hail from the Las Vegas area, in an event that features teams from six states.
In other first round action, Iola (Kansas) takes on Grafton (North Dakota) at 2 p.m., followed by Minnesota champion Plato against Wisconsin Dells (Wisconsin) at 5 p.m. Host Wahpeton takes on Groton (South Dakota) at 8 p.m. to close out the first round.
The tournament continues with six more contest Friday, three on Saturday and the title game Sunday at 1 p.m.
Post 248 plays in the regional for a second straight year after a second consecutive runner-up finish in the state tournament, and will take on Shadow Ridge, Nevada at 11 a.m. in the first of four first-round contests.
Ely (29-9) draws the Nevada state champions, who hail from the Las Vegas area, in an event that features teams from six states.
In other first round action, Iola (Kansas) takes on Grafton (North Dakota) at 2 p.m., followed by Minnesota champion Plato against Wisconsin Dells (Wisconsin) at 5 p.m. Host Wahpeton takes on Groton (South Dakota) at 8 p.m. to close out the first round.
The tournament continues with six more contest Friday, three on Saturday and the title game Sunday at 1 p.m.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Second chance yields second-place finish in state, regional berth for Ely
In improbable fashion, Ely's American Legion baseball team got both a new lease on life and a heartbreaking defeat Sunday in Sacred Heart.
After Dilworth was disqualified from the Division II state tournament on Sunday morning, the scheduled third-place game between Ely and Stewartville instead became a one-game showdown for both a spot in the state finals and a regional tournament berth.
Post 248 survived that contest and won 7-5 and took a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning in Sunday's state title game against Plato.
But needing just one more strike for its first state title, Ely instead had to settle for its second straight runner-up finish, as Adam Prehn deposited a 3-2 pitch over the left field fence and gave his team a 4-3 win.
A rollercoaster 24 hours for Post 248 ended with a devastating defeat, but Ely (29-9) still moves on to this week's Division II Central Plains Regional, which starts Thursday at Wahpeton, N.D. A first-round opponent and game time have yet to be determined.
Ely's fate seemed to be determined Saturday night, when Dilworth pulled out a 4-3 win and advanced to the title game. But the Ninth District champions were disqualified early Sunday, throwing the tournament in limbo.
Given a second chance to advance, Ely took advantage against Stewartville and ripped 11 hits. Ely had two-run innings in the third, fourth and fifth frames to take control and winning pitcher Trevor Bernsdorf kept the First District champs off balance.
Sean Fisher had a two-run single in the fourth and finished with three runs batted in, while Jory Johnson added two hits. Greg Helget's sacrifice fly gave Ely a 7-3 lead in the top of the seventh, and Post 248 needed the insurance.
Bernsdorf, who gave up six hits, tired in the seventh and Wes Snyder came on to record the save.
Ely moved right into the title game with Plato Sunday afternoon and took a 2-1 lead in the third on hits by Fisher, Trevor Bernsdorf and Nick Mathews. Plato tied it in the fourth, and the drama was just beginning.
Post 248 wasted a double by Snyder in the sixth and stranded him at third, but Fisher stroked a one-out double in the seventh. He moved to third on a groundout and scored the go-ahed run on a wild pitch, and Ely was three outs away from the title.
Teddy Peterson's leadoff single started the rally, but Riley Bernsdorf recorded two outs before Prehn stepped in. Plato's number-three hitter worked the count full, then delivered the walk-off blow.
Going the distance, Riley Bernsdorf, gave up eight hits and two earned runs.
After Dilworth was disqualified from the Division II state tournament on Sunday morning, the scheduled third-place game between Ely and Stewartville instead became a one-game showdown for both a spot in the state finals and a regional tournament berth.
Post 248 survived that contest and won 7-5 and took a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning in Sunday's state title game against Plato.
But needing just one more strike for its first state title, Ely instead had to settle for its second straight runner-up finish, as Adam Prehn deposited a 3-2 pitch over the left field fence and gave his team a 4-3 win.
A rollercoaster 24 hours for Post 248 ended with a devastating defeat, but Ely (29-9) still moves on to this week's Division II Central Plains Regional, which starts Thursday at Wahpeton, N.D. A first-round opponent and game time have yet to be determined.
Ely's fate seemed to be determined Saturday night, when Dilworth pulled out a 4-3 win and advanced to the title game. But the Ninth District champions were disqualified early Sunday, throwing the tournament in limbo.
Given a second chance to advance, Ely took advantage against Stewartville and ripped 11 hits. Ely had two-run innings in the third, fourth and fifth frames to take control and winning pitcher Trevor Bernsdorf kept the First District champs off balance.
Sean Fisher had a two-run single in the fourth and finished with three runs batted in, while Jory Johnson added two hits. Greg Helget's sacrifice fly gave Ely a 7-3 lead in the top of the seventh, and Post 248 needed the insurance.
Bernsdorf, who gave up six hits, tired in the seventh and Wes Snyder came on to record the save.
Ely moved right into the title game with Plato Sunday afternoon and took a 2-1 lead in the third on hits by Fisher, Trevor Bernsdorf and Nick Mathews. Plato tied it in the fourth, and the drama was just beginning.
Post 248 wasted a double by Snyder in the sixth and stranded him at third, but Fisher stroked a one-out double in the seventh. He moved to third on a groundout and scored the go-ahed run on a wild pitch, and Ely was three outs away from the title.
Teddy Peterson's leadoff single started the rally, but Riley Bernsdorf recorded two outs before Prehn stepped in. Plato's number-three hitter worked the count full, then delivered the walk-off blow.
Going the distance, Riley Bernsdorf, gave up eight hits and two earned runs.
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Dilworth rallies past Ely in state semifinals
Ely couldn't hold on to a slim lead and Dilworth rallied in the final two innings to pull out a 4-3 victory in a Division II state semifinal game Saturday night in Sacred Heart.
Hunter Rosenfeldt's bases-loaded single against a drawn-in infield brought in Dylan DeJong with the game-winning run and Dilworth advanced to Sunday's state championship game and earned a berth in next week's Central Plains Regional in Wahpeton, N.D.
The game-winning rally was set up by a walk and an error, and the District Nine champions also took advantage of a walk and a Shawn Johnson single to tie the game at three in the bottom of the sixth.
Ely (28-8) took a 2-1 lead in the second on Wes Snyder's two-run homer, and after losing pitcher Greg Helget walked in a run in the bottom of the frame, Ely regained the lead in the fourth on Sean Fisher's single.
The game had its twists and turns, with Dilworth escaping a jam in the sixth when a squeeze bunt attempt turned into a double play. Back-to-back web gems by second baseman Nick Mathews helped Ely escape the bottom of the sixth with a tie game.
Ely put two runners aboard in the seventh, but winning pitcher Isaiah Greene got his ninth strikeout of the game when he needed it most.
Helget went the distance and gave up five hits and recorded seven strikeouts.
Ely will take on Stewartville in Sunday's third-place game, set for 11:30 a.m.
Hunter Rosenfeldt's bases-loaded single against a drawn-in infield brought in Dylan DeJong with the game-winning run and Dilworth advanced to Sunday's state championship game and earned a berth in next week's Central Plains Regional in Wahpeton, N.D.
The game-winning rally was set up by a walk and an error, and the District Nine champions also took advantage of a walk and a Shawn Johnson single to tie the game at three in the bottom of the sixth.
Ely (28-8) took a 2-1 lead in the second on Wes Snyder's two-run homer, and after losing pitcher Greg Helget walked in a run in the bottom of the frame, Ely regained the lead in the fourth on Sean Fisher's single.
The game had its twists and turns, with Dilworth escaping a jam in the sixth when a squeeze bunt attempt turned into a double play. Back-to-back web gems by second baseman Nick Mathews helped Ely escape the bottom of the sixth with a tie game.
Ely put two runners aboard in the seventh, but winning pitcher Isaiah Greene got his ninth strikeout of the game when he needed it most.
Helget went the distance and gave up five hits and recorded seven strikeouts.
Ely will take on Stewartville in Sunday's third-place game, set for 11:30 a.m.
State semifinal game can be heard online
Those unable to make it to this evening's state semifinal game between Ely and Dilworth won't have to miss the game.
That's because it can be heard online at www.kdmanews.com. All of the tournament games will be broadcast and streamed online at this website.
Ely takes on Dilworth tonight at 7:30 p.m. in one Division II state semifinal contest, while Plato and Stewartville square off at 5 p.m. The winners meet Sunday at 2 p.m. for the state title while the losers play at 11:30 a.m. Sunday for third place.
The top two finishers in the Division II State Tournament advance to regional play next week at Wahpeton, N.D.
That's because it can be heard online at www.kdmanews.com. All of the tournament games will be broadcast and streamed online at this website.
Ely takes on Dilworth tonight at 7:30 p.m. in one Division II state semifinal contest, while Plato and Stewartville square off at 5 p.m. The winners meet Sunday at 2 p.m. for the state title while the losers play at 11:30 a.m. Sunday for third place.
The top two finishers in the Division II State Tournament advance to regional play next week at Wahpeton, N.D.
Friday, August 3, 2012
On to the semifinals! Ely edges Paynesville 2-1
Some timely hitting, solid pitching and one key ground ball got Ely's American Legion baseball team into the state semifinals.
Louie Gerzin's two-out single in the sixth gave Ely the lead, and winning pitcher Wes Snyder coaxed a double-play ball to escape a seventh-inning jam as Post 248 held on and beat Paynesville 2-1 in a Friday afternoon matchup at Sacred Heart.
The win, Ely's 28th of the year, was good for a berth in Saturday's Division II semifinals and a 7:30 p.m. date with Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton, which beat host Sacred Heart in another quarterfinal.
After Paynesville got its only run of the game in the top of the sixth, Ely (28-7) responded with a two-out rally in the sixth. Singles by Riley Bernsdorf and Nick Mathews set the table, and Gerzin followed with a sharp single to center that brought Bernsdorf home with the go-ahead run.
But Ely still had to survive the seventh, and things looked perilous when two singles and a walk brought Nathan Meyer to the plate with one out.
Meyer already had three hits, but didn't get his fourth. Snyder cleanly fielded his ground ball, threw to catcher Greg Helget for the force at the plate and watched as Helget fired on to first to complete the twin-killing.
Snyder, who earned his seventh win of the summer, struck out eight while giving up five hits. He issued three free passes.
Ely struggled early on against losing pitcher Josh Bunjum but broke through in the fourth. Trevor Bernsdorf singled to start the frame and he eventually scored on a groundout by Mathews.
Bunjum gave up six hits and struck out five for the Sixth District champions.
In earlier quarterfinal action, Plato beat defending Division II champions Eden Valley-Watkins 5-1 in nine innings, and Stewartville blasted Luverne 10-1.
Louie Gerzin's two-out single in the sixth gave Ely the lead, and winning pitcher Wes Snyder coaxed a double-play ball to escape a seventh-inning jam as Post 248 held on and beat Paynesville 2-1 in a Friday afternoon matchup at Sacred Heart.
The win, Ely's 28th of the year, was good for a berth in Saturday's Division II semifinals and a 7:30 p.m. date with Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton, which beat host Sacred Heart in another quarterfinal.
After Paynesville got its only run of the game in the top of the sixth, Ely (28-7) responded with a two-out rally in the sixth. Singles by Riley Bernsdorf and Nick Mathews set the table, and Gerzin followed with a sharp single to center that brought Bernsdorf home with the go-ahead run.
But Ely still had to survive the seventh, and things looked perilous when two singles and a walk brought Nathan Meyer to the plate with one out.
Meyer already had three hits, but didn't get his fourth. Snyder cleanly fielded his ground ball, threw to catcher Greg Helget for the force at the plate and watched as Helget fired on to first to complete the twin-killing.
Snyder, who earned his seventh win of the summer, struck out eight while giving up five hits. He issued three free passes.
Ely struggled early on against losing pitcher Josh Bunjum but broke through in the fourth. Trevor Bernsdorf singled to start the frame and he eventually scored on a groundout by Mathews.
Bunjum gave up six hits and struck out five for the Sixth District champions.
In earlier quarterfinal action, Plato beat defending Division II champions Eden Valley-Watkins 5-1 in nine innings, and Stewartville blasted Luverne 10-1.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
VFW wins districts, headed to state!
Just as Ely's Legion team did over the weekend, the Ely VFW baseball team survived three elimination games and came back to win its first district title in 13 years.
Pat Huisman and Will Gustafson drove in runs in the top of the seventh, while Riley Bernsdorf slammed the door in the bottom half to give Post 2717 a 6-4 Eighth District title game victory over Cloquet Wednesday night at Hermantown's Fichtner Field.
Ely (29-6) is district champions for the first time since 1999, and will move on to the single-class VFW state tournament which starts Aug. 9 at Mankato.
Ely won its district title the hard way, coming back after losing 3-1 to Cloquet in a winners' bracket matchup on Monday.
Gustafson got the win on the mound as Ely held off Hermantown 7-4 on Tuesday, and Post 2717 erased a 5-1 deficit and came back to beat Cloquet 7-5 later in the day, forcing a deciding game for the title.
Ely jumped out to a 4-1 lead Wednesday, with Bernsdorf's two-run triple in the first the key blow. But Cloquet (27-8) clawed back and eventually tied the contest in the bottom of the sixth, chasing Gustafson and bringing Bernsdorf on in relief.
But Cloquet ace Brandon Conklin couldn't shut down Ely in the seventh. Bernsdorf was hit by a pitch to start the inning, and Louie Gerzin reached on an infield single. A misplayed bunt loaded the bases and Ely took the lead when Huisman reached on a fielder's choice. Gustafson's single to right added an insurance run and Ely was on its way.
Pat Huisman and Will Gustafson drove in runs in the top of the seventh, while Riley Bernsdorf slammed the door in the bottom half to give Post 2717 a 6-4 Eighth District title game victory over Cloquet Wednesday night at Hermantown's Fichtner Field.
Ely (29-6) is district champions for the first time since 1999, and will move on to the single-class VFW state tournament which starts Aug. 9 at Mankato.
Ely won its district title the hard way, coming back after losing 3-1 to Cloquet in a winners' bracket matchup on Monday.
Gustafson got the win on the mound as Ely held off Hermantown 7-4 on Tuesday, and Post 2717 erased a 5-1 deficit and came back to beat Cloquet 7-5 later in the day, forcing a deciding game for the title.
Ely jumped out to a 4-1 lead Wednesday, with Bernsdorf's two-run triple in the first the key blow. But Cloquet (27-8) clawed back and eventually tied the contest in the bottom of the sixth, chasing Gustafson and bringing Bernsdorf on in relief.
But Cloquet ace Brandon Conklin couldn't shut down Ely in the seventh. Bernsdorf was hit by a pitch to start the inning, and Louie Gerzin reached on an infield single. A misplayed bunt loaded the bases and Ely took the lead when Huisman reached on a fielder's choice. Gustafson's single to right added an insurance run and Ely was on its way.
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