Taconite ends Ely's district reign

Ely never got its offense on track Sunday and came up short in its bid to return to the state tournament.

Al Troumbly worked out of several jams and finished with a three-hitter as Taconite downed Post 248 in the Eighth District Division II finals at Deer River.

Troumbly stranded runners in scoring position in four of the first five innings and got two double play balls, while Taconite got three first-inning runs to take control of the contest.

After Ely trimmed the gap to 3-1, Taconite got two unearned runs in the top of the seventh against tough-luck losing pitcher Louie Gerzin, who struck out 11 and gave up six hits while going the distance.

Singles by Troumbly and Pat Shea were part of the first inning rally, which was aided by a dropped fly ball in the outfield.

Ely put runners and second and third base in the second inning, but finally got on the board in the fifth, when two errors and a Cody Bialik single put pressure on second-seeded Taconite.

But Troumbly, who only struck out two batters, escaped the no-out jam with a flyout and a double play and Ely didn't threaten again.

Gerzin had two of Ely's three hits while Shea went two-for-four for the winners.

Taconite won its first district title and moves on to the Division II state tournament at Bird Island, where it meets Third District champion Pine Island at noon Friday.

Ely finished 23-12 and misses the state tournament for the first time since 2009.