After an untimely hitting slump, a masterful pitching performance by Will Gustafson helped Ely continue its quest for a fourth consecutive district championship.
Gustafson was perfect through five and two-thirds innings and finished with a two-hit shutout as Post 248 blanked Carlton 6-0 in an elimination round game Friday night at Deer River.
That followed a stunning 2-1 defeat earlier in the day to host Deer River as Ely (22-10) fell victim to the pitching of Warriors ace Lance Latvala, who scattered six hits.
Ely must win four straight games to win the district title, and continues its long road back at 3 p.m. Saturday against Chisholm. A win would put Post 248 in a 5:30 p.m. contest against either Taconite or Deer River, who face off earlier in the day. The district finals is slated for Sunday.
Deer River pushed across two unearned runs in the top of the first against losing pitcher Trevor Bernsdorf, who tossed a four-hitter, and that would prove to be enough.
Latvala worked of a second-inning jam, despite giving up three hits in the frame and was aided by a double-play ball. Ely's only run came in the sixth, when Louie Gerzin singled in Riley Bernsdorf. Pat Huisman finished with two singles for Ely.
The nightcap belonged to Gustafson, who picked up his fifth win of the summer and retired the first 17 batters he faced.
Ely got the only run Gustafson would need in the second, when Riley Bernsdorf scored on a passed ball. Sean Fisher singled and scored on a sacrifice fly, while Nick Mathews roped a two-run double to highlight a four-run barrage in the fifth.
Fisher scored twice for the winners and Trevor Bernsdorf finished with two RBI.
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