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.
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