Ely misfired on an opportunity to score in the top half of the seventh inning while Two Harbors cashed in on its own chance in the bottom half of the frame, and that was the difference in a 5-4 Two Harbors victory Sunday at Veterans Memorial Field.
Tim Bott's two-out single to center just evade the glove of Ely's Jeff Wilis and brought Luke Small in with the game-winning run in the Eighth District Division II playoff semifinal.
The loss ended Ely's season while Two Harbors advanced into the championship game later in the night, when it lost 9-3 to International Falls.
Ely (20-12) trailed 3-0 and 4-2 in the contest, but rallied to tie the game with two runs in the sixth and had a chance in the seventh.
Louie Gerzin's third hit of the game started the rally, and he moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and third on a wild pitch. But Gerzin was stranded 90 meet from home, as reliever Kyler Kinn coaxed a pop-up and a lineout to end the threat.
That set the stage for the bottom of the inning, and Small singled to center with one out to start the rally. Small stole second and after Ely's Will Gustafson recorded a strikeout, Bott delivered his second hit of the game to end it in walk-off fashion.
Two Harbors broke a scoreless deadlock by scoring three times in the bottom of the fourth, all with two out, against Ely starter Pat Huisman. The key blow was Easton Best's two-run double, while Nate Bauck surprised the crowd and the Ely defense with a two-out steal of home.
Gerzin got Post 248 on the board in the top of the fifth with his second home run of the season, a two-run blast to left.
Two Harbors answered with an unearned run in the bottom of the fifth but Ely countered with two runs in the sixth, with Gustafson lining a run-scoring double and Jeff Willis tying it with a single to right.
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Saturday, July 26, 2014
Gerzin no hits Esko, Ely among final three
Ely's American Legion baseball team staked Louie Gerzin to an early lead and the senior righthander took things from there.
Gerzin overcame some early control issues and dominated over the last four frames, finishing with his first career Legion no-hitter and 12 strikeouts in a 4-2 Ely win over Esko Saturday at Veterans Memorial Field.
The victory put Ely into the final three in the Eighth District Division II Playoffs, but a severe thunderstorm washed out Saturday night's scheduled clash with Two Harbors. The two teams will instead meet at 4 p.m. Sunday, with the winner advancing to meet International Falls at 6:30 p.m. in the district championship tilt.
Gerzin struggled in two previous starts against Esko, but was firmly in command for much of Saturday's game.
Ely took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second, then yielded a pair of unearned runs in the third as Esko scored without benefit of a hit.
But Gerzin recorded a key strikeout to escape further damage, then rattled off five more strikeouts in a row before Esko put two runners aboard by way of walk in the fifth. Again Gerzin dug deep and notched a strikeout, and didn't allow a baserunner the rest of the game.
For the year, Gerzin improved to 5-3 and now has 96 strikeouts in 50 innings on the mound.
Cole Kellogg singled and scored Ely's first run on a wild pitch, and the hosts plated two more runs in the second when Pat Huisman's hot shot down the third base line caromed off an Esko fielder's glove and into the outfield.
Esko got its two runs in the third and that's how it stayed until the sixth, when Elliot Omerza's sacrifice fly brought in Jeff Willis with an insurance run.
Ely (20-11) finished with 10 hits, with Huisman going three-for-three and both Gerzin and Kellogg adding two hits apiece.
Ely also played host to VFW baseball action Saturday, with the Eighth District Tournament getting underway with games at Ely, Soudan and Virginia.
Grand Rapids and Hibbing both went 2-0 for the day and will meet in the last winners' bracket game at 5 p.m. Monday. Four other teams, including host Ely, are 1-1.
Ely bounced back from a 9-1 opening round loss to Proctor by beating Duluth East B 4-2. Andy Krunkkala was the winning pitcher while Kellogg notched a two-run single.
Ely meets West Duluth at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
Gerzin overcame some early control issues and dominated over the last four frames, finishing with his first career Legion no-hitter and 12 strikeouts in a 4-2 Ely win over Esko Saturday at Veterans Memorial Field.
The victory put Ely into the final three in the Eighth District Division II Playoffs, but a severe thunderstorm washed out Saturday night's scheduled clash with Two Harbors. The two teams will instead meet at 4 p.m. Sunday, with the winner advancing to meet International Falls at 6:30 p.m. in the district championship tilt.
Gerzin struggled in two previous starts against Esko, but was firmly in command for much of Saturday's game.
Ely took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second, then yielded a pair of unearned runs in the third as Esko scored without benefit of a hit.
But Gerzin recorded a key strikeout to escape further damage, then rattled off five more strikeouts in a row before Esko put two runners aboard by way of walk in the fifth. Again Gerzin dug deep and notched a strikeout, and didn't allow a baserunner the rest of the game.
For the year, Gerzin improved to 5-3 and now has 96 strikeouts in 50 innings on the mound.
Cole Kellogg singled and scored Ely's first run on a wild pitch, and the hosts plated two more runs in the second when Pat Huisman's hot shot down the third base line caromed off an Esko fielder's glove and into the outfield.
Esko got its two runs in the third and that's how it stayed until the sixth, when Elliot Omerza's sacrifice fly brought in Jeff Willis with an insurance run.
Ely (20-11) finished with 10 hits, with Huisman going three-for-three and both Gerzin and Kellogg adding two hits apiece.
Ely also played host to VFW baseball action Saturday, with the Eighth District Tournament getting underway with games at Ely, Soudan and Virginia.
Grand Rapids and Hibbing both went 2-0 for the day and will meet in the last winners' bracket game at 5 p.m. Monday. Four other teams, including host Ely, are 1-1.
Ely bounced back from a 9-1 opening round loss to Proctor by beating Duluth East B 4-2. Andy Krunkkala was the winning pitcher while Kellogg notched a two-run single.
Ely meets West Duluth at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
Friday, July 25, 2014
Ely remains alive in districts
One bad inning sent Ely into the elimination bracket in the Eighth District Division II playoffs, but a come-from-behind effort Friday night kept the hosts alive in the tournament and sent them into the final four.
Three straight two-out hits capped a four-run rally in the bottom of the fourth, and senior Max Gantt held off Moose Lake in a 4-3 victory at Veterans Memorial Field.
The win helped Post 248 bounce back from a 4-1 loss to Two Harbors earlier in the day, in a contest decided by a disastrous fourth inning in which three Ely errors led to four Two Harbors runs.
Ely (19-11) will play Esko at 4:45 p.m. Saturday in another elimination round contest, with the winner advancing to meet Two Harbors at 7 p.m. Whoever survives will move into the finals to meet International Falls, which remained unbeaten in the tournament with a 5-1 victory over Milaca and a 9-4 triumph against Two Harbors.
After retiring the first nine batters, senior Will Gustafson ran into trouble in the fourth against Two Harbors, which took advantage of two errors and a walk to break a scoreless deadlock. Following a third Ely error, Two Harbors bunched its only three hits of the game to take a 4-0 lead.
The cushion was enough for lefty Kyle Omtvedt, who held Post 248 to three hits and worked out of a bases loaded jam in the second. Ely's only tally came in the fifth, when Jeff Willis doubled and scored on a Louie Gerzin groundout.
Gustafson fanned five, allowed only the three hits and did not give up an earned run.
Moose Lake nicked Gantt for two runs in the third inning, but Ely batted around in the fourth, with Cole Kellogg's run-scoring double driving in Gustafson and putting the hosts on the board. Gerzin's infield single tied the game with two outs, while Gantt and Pat Huisman followed with back-to-back run-scoring hits that made it 4-2.
Moose Lake got one run back in the sixth, but Gantt retired the side in the seventh for his team-high fifth win of the year.
Ely finished with seven hits against two Moose Lake pitchers, including two each by Gantt and Gerzin.
The complete lineup of tournament games Friday included:
• Esko 16, Deer River 11, Deer River eliminated;
• Moose Lake 6, Taconite 4 (8), Taconite eliminated;
• International Falls 5, Milaca 1;
• Two Harbors 4, Ely 1;
• Esko 7, Milaca 6 , Milaca eliminated;
• Ely 4, Moose Lake 3, Moose Lake eliminated;
• International Falls 9, Two Harbors 4
Three straight two-out hits capped a four-run rally in the bottom of the fourth, and senior Max Gantt held off Moose Lake in a 4-3 victory at Veterans Memorial Field.
The win helped Post 248 bounce back from a 4-1 loss to Two Harbors earlier in the day, in a contest decided by a disastrous fourth inning in which three Ely errors led to four Two Harbors runs.
Ely (19-11) will play Esko at 4:45 p.m. Saturday in another elimination round contest, with the winner advancing to meet Two Harbors at 7 p.m. Whoever survives will move into the finals to meet International Falls, which remained unbeaten in the tournament with a 5-1 victory over Milaca and a 9-4 triumph against Two Harbors.
After retiring the first nine batters, senior Will Gustafson ran into trouble in the fourth against Two Harbors, which took advantage of two errors and a walk to break a scoreless deadlock. Following a third Ely error, Two Harbors bunched its only three hits of the game to take a 4-0 lead.
The cushion was enough for lefty Kyle Omtvedt, who held Post 248 to three hits and worked out of a bases loaded jam in the second. Ely's only tally came in the fifth, when Jeff Willis doubled and scored on a Louie Gerzin groundout.
Gustafson fanned five, allowed only the three hits and did not give up an earned run.
Moose Lake nicked Gantt for two runs in the third inning, but Ely batted around in the fourth, with Cole Kellogg's run-scoring double driving in Gustafson and putting the hosts on the board. Gerzin's infield single tied the game with two outs, while Gantt and Pat Huisman followed with back-to-back run-scoring hits that made it 4-2.
Moose Lake got one run back in the sixth, but Gantt retired the side in the seventh for his team-high fifth win of the year.
Ely finished with seven hits against two Moose Lake pitchers, including two each by Gantt and Gerzin.
The complete lineup of tournament games Friday included:
• Esko 16, Deer River 11, Deer River eliminated;
• Moose Lake 6, Taconite 4 (8), Taconite eliminated;
• International Falls 5, Milaca 1;
• Two Harbors 4, Ely 1;
• Esko 7, Milaca 6 , Milaca eliminated;
• Ely 4, Moose Lake 3, Moose Lake eliminated;
• International Falls 9, Two Harbors 4
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Ely claws past Esko in playoff opener
Ely overcame a disastrous top of the fifth with a clutch bottom half of the inning, and the result was a wild playoff win Tuesday night at Veterans Memorial Field.
After watching Esko score six runs in the top half of the inning only only two hits, Post 248 stormed back in the bottom half with four runs, then held on for a 7-6 victory in the opening round of the Eighth District Division II Playoffs.
Will Gustafson's two-out single plated Pat Huisman with the winning run and capped a four-run fifth, and it was Gustafson, on in relief of Louie Gerzin, who held off Esko in the final two frames.
Gerzin cruised through the first four innings with a 3-0 lead, but ran out of steam in the fifth and walked five batters. An error prolonged the frame, Nick Emanuel's two-run double put Esko on top, and the visitors scored twice more to lead 6-3.
But an Esko error ignited Ely in the fifth, and Gerzin's run-scoring hit closed the gap to two. After Max Gantt singled, Pat Huisman delivered a key two-run single to tie the game, setting the stage for Gustafson's game-winner and giving a big Veterans Night crowd plenty to cheer about.
Gustafson allowed only two hits in two and two-thirds innings of work, and picked a runner off second in the sixth inning to thwart an Esko rally, on the way to his fourth win of the year.
Gerzin struck out nine and allowed only one hit, but seven walks led to an early exit for the Ely ace.
Elliot Omerza had a run-scoring single in the first and Cole Kellogg added a two-run dobule later in the frame, and that was the only scoring until the fifth.
Ely was aided by good defense, including the pickoff play in the sixth and a diving catch in center by Jeff Willis to end the game.
Huisman and Gerzin had two hits for Ely which outhit Esko 9-3.
Ely (18-10) advances to meet Two Harbors in a winners' bracket tilt at 2:30 p.m. Friday. Two Harbors advanced with a 9-2 victory over Deer River.
In the opposite bracket, International Falls ace Ben Humbert struck out 15 as the tournament's top-seeded team blanked Moose Lake 5-0. Milaca scored twice in the bottom of the seventh to beat Taconite 3-2, in the final game of a playoff doubleheader at Marble.
The tournament resumes Friday with seven games, five in Ely and two more at Soudan.
After watching Esko score six runs in the top half of the inning only only two hits, Post 248 stormed back in the bottom half with four runs, then held on for a 7-6 victory in the opening round of the Eighth District Division II Playoffs.
Will Gustafson's two-out single plated Pat Huisman with the winning run and capped a four-run fifth, and it was Gustafson, on in relief of Louie Gerzin, who held off Esko in the final two frames.
Gerzin cruised through the first four innings with a 3-0 lead, but ran out of steam in the fifth and walked five batters. An error prolonged the frame, Nick Emanuel's two-run double put Esko on top, and the visitors scored twice more to lead 6-3.
But an Esko error ignited Ely in the fifth, and Gerzin's run-scoring hit closed the gap to two. After Max Gantt singled, Pat Huisman delivered a key two-run single to tie the game, setting the stage for Gustafson's game-winner and giving a big Veterans Night crowd plenty to cheer about.
Gustafson allowed only two hits in two and two-thirds innings of work, and picked a runner off second in the sixth inning to thwart an Esko rally, on the way to his fourth win of the year.
Gerzin struck out nine and allowed only one hit, but seven walks led to an early exit for the Ely ace.
Elliot Omerza had a run-scoring single in the first and Cole Kellogg added a two-run dobule later in the frame, and that was the only scoring until the fifth.
Ely was aided by good defense, including the pickoff play in the sixth and a diving catch in center by Jeff Willis to end the game.
Huisman and Gerzin had two hits for Ely which outhit Esko 9-3.
Ely (18-10) advances to meet Two Harbors in a winners' bracket tilt at 2:30 p.m. Friday. Two Harbors advanced with a 9-2 victory over Deer River.
In the opposite bracket, International Falls ace Ben Humbert struck out 15 as the tournament's top-seeded team blanked Moose Lake 5-0. Milaca scored twice in the bottom of the seventh to beat Taconite 3-2, in the final game of a playoff doubleheader at Marble.
The tournament resumes Friday with seven games, five in Ely and two more at Soudan.
Monday, July 21, 2014
District tournament starts with Veterans Night
The start of the Eighth District Division II playoffs will coincide with a salute to veterans at Ely's historic ballpark.
Tuesday is Veterans Night at Veterans Memorial Field, with a special on-field ceremony to take place just prior to Ely's 7:30 p.m. playoff contest with Esko.
All veterans and military personnel will be admitted free and be treated to a hot dog and a beverage, and they'll be asked to come out on to the field to be recognized just prior to the playing of the national anthem.
The Veterans Night tribute is similar to previous veterans' events at the ballpark, held during state and district tournaments over the last decade. Any veteran, active military member or guard member may sign in at the ticket booth for free admission. Veterans are asked to line up for the ceremony by 7 p.m.
Veterans Night is part of a playoff doubleheader in Ely that starts with a 5:15 p.m. contest between Two Harbors and Deer River on what promises to be a festive night at the field.
Ely's Little League All-Stars, both the 9-and-10-year-old team and the 11-and-12-year-olds, will be recognized and introduced during Ely's game and concession stand specials are in the works the entire night - including $1 hot dogs and $2 Sloppy Joes.
After Tuesday's twinbill, the tournament resumes Friday with seven more games - five in Ely and two more in Soudan.
Tuesday is Veterans Night at Veterans Memorial Field, with a special on-field ceremony to take place just prior to Ely's 7:30 p.m. playoff contest with Esko.
All veterans and military personnel will be admitted free and be treated to a hot dog and a beverage, and they'll be asked to come out on to the field to be recognized just prior to the playing of the national anthem.
The Veterans Night tribute is similar to previous veterans' events at the ballpark, held during state and district tournaments over the last decade. Any veteran, active military member or guard member may sign in at the ticket booth for free admission. Veterans are asked to line up for the ceremony by 7 p.m.
Veterans Night is part of a playoff doubleheader in Ely that starts with a 5:15 p.m. contest between Two Harbors and Deer River on what promises to be a festive night at the field.
Ely's Little League All-Stars, both the 9-and-10-year-old team and the 11-and-12-year-olds, will be recognized and introduced during Ely's game and concession stand specials are in the works the entire night - including $1 hot dogs and $2 Sloppy Joes.
After Tuesday's twinbill, the tournament resumes Friday with seven more games - five in Ely and two more in Soudan.
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Schedule set for districts; Ely seeded third going into Tuesday night's opener with Esko
Eight teams will begin play Tuesday but only one will emerge at the end of the week as the Eighth District champion and its representative in the upcoming Division II State Tournament.
Host Ely is seeded third and will tangle with Esko in the second half of a district tournament doubleheader Tuesday at Veterans Memorial Field.
The 7:30 p.m. contest, part of Ely's Veterans Night celebration, is one of four first-round games and marks Post 248's first step in a quest to win the program's 12th state tournament berth since 1997.
But first the hosts must break a three-game losing streak which included an 8-0 loss to number-five seed Esko last Thursday.
The Ely-Esko rematch follows a 5:15 p.m. game between second-seeded Two Harbors and number-seven Deer River. Top-seeded International Falls will meet either Moose Lake or Brookston at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday at Marble, with fourth-seeded Taconite, the defending district champion, taking on southern representative Milaca at 7:30.
The tournament resumes Friday with seven games, five in Ely and two more at Soudan's Legion Field, with two more contests Saturday and the finals slated for 4 p.m. Sunday.
The entire tournament schedule is listed below.
Host Ely is seeded third and will tangle with Esko in the second half of a district tournament doubleheader Tuesday at Veterans Memorial Field.
The 7:30 p.m. contest, part of Ely's Veterans Night celebration, is one of four first-round games and marks Post 248's first step in a quest to win the program's 12th state tournament berth since 1997.
But first the hosts must break a three-game losing streak which included an 8-0 loss to number-five seed Esko last Thursday.
The Ely-Esko rematch follows a 5:15 p.m. game between second-seeded Two Harbors and number-seven Deer River. Top-seeded International Falls will meet either Moose Lake or Brookston at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday at Marble, with fourth-seeded Taconite, the defending district champion, taking on southern representative Milaca at 7:30.
The tournament resumes Friday with seven games, five in Ely and two more at Soudan's Legion Field, with two more contests Saturday and the finals slated for 4 p.m. Sunday.
The entire tournament schedule is listed below.
Monday July 21
PLAY IN 6:00 p.m. #8 Brookston at #7 Moose Lake Moose Lake
Tuesday July 22
Game 1 5:15 p.m. #6 Deer River vs. #2 Two Harbors Ely
Game 2 5:15 p.m. Brookston/M. Lake vs. #1 Int. Falls Marble
Game 3 7:30 p.m. South rep Milaca vs. #4 Taconite Marble
Game 4 7:30 p.m. #5 Esko vs. #3 Ely Ely
Friday July 25
Game 5 10:00 a.m. Loser 1 vs. Loser 4** Ely
Game 6 12:15 p.m. Winner 2 vs. Winner 3 Ely
Game 7 1:00 p.m. Loser 2 vs. Loser 3** Soudan
Game 8 2:30 p.m. Winner 1 vs. Winner 4 Ely
Game 9 4:00 p.m. Winner 5 vs. Loser 6** Soudan###
Game 10 4:45 p.m. Winner 7 vs. Loser 8** Ely ###
Game 11 7:00 p.m. Winner 6 vs. WInner 8 Ely
Saturday July 26
Game 12 5:00 p.m. Winner 9 vs. WInner 10** Ely
Game 13 7:15 p.m. Loser 11 vs. Winner 12** Ely
Sunday July 27
Game 14 4:00 p.m. Winner 12 vs. Winner 13 Ely
Game 15 6:30 p.m. Repeat if necessary Ely
### - Locations for games 9 and 10 could be flip-flopped in order to keep
Ely at its home field.
** - Elimination Game
Friday, July 18, 2014
Two Harbors slides past Ely
Ely squandered too many opportunities on Tuesday and lost its bid for the number-two seed in the upcoming district playoffs.
Two Harbors pitcher Tom Bott worked his way into and out of trouble, stranding 11 Ely runners in a 3-1 victory at Veterans Memorial Field.
Bott prevailed in a pitching duel with Ely's Will Gustafson, who gave up three unearned runs while firing a five-hitter. Gustafson struck out five.
Bott overcame eight walks and a hit batter to get the win, which came in an Eighth District two-point contest and gave Two Harbors the number-two seed for the Eighth District tournament, which starts Tuesday in Ely.
Ely, which ended the regular season on a three-game losing skid, will take a 17-10 record and the number-three seed into the tournament, with a 7:30 p.m. first-round tilt with Esko up next.
After leaving the bases loaded in both the first and fourth frames, Ely got to Bott in the sixth when Cole Kellogg's double plated Max Gantt. But Bott again escaped, getting Louie Gerzin to ground out with runners in scoring position.
Two Harbors scored with the benefit of Ely's fifth error of the game in the top of the seventh, adding an insurance run.
Earlier Friday, Virginia scored five times in the first and five in the fifth en route to a 12-6 win. Jeremy Katz dorve in four runs and had three hits for the winners, backing the pitching of Devin Mayry.
Elliot Omerza went three-for-three while Zach Smith added two hits for Ely. Bradley Roy was tagged with the loss.
Two Harbors pitcher Tom Bott worked his way into and out of trouble, stranding 11 Ely runners in a 3-1 victory at Veterans Memorial Field.
Bott prevailed in a pitching duel with Ely's Will Gustafson, who gave up three unearned runs while firing a five-hitter. Gustafson struck out five.
Bott overcame eight walks and a hit batter to get the win, which came in an Eighth District two-point contest and gave Two Harbors the number-two seed for the Eighth District tournament, which starts Tuesday in Ely.
Ely, which ended the regular season on a three-game losing skid, will take a 17-10 record and the number-three seed into the tournament, with a 7:30 p.m. first-round tilt with Esko up next.
After leaving the bases loaded in both the first and fourth frames, Ely got to Bott in the sixth when Cole Kellogg's double plated Max Gantt. But Bott again escaped, getting Louie Gerzin to ground out with runners in scoring position.
Two Harbors scored with the benefit of Ely's fifth error of the game in the top of the seventh, adding an insurance run.
Earlier Friday, Virginia scored five times in the first and five in the fifth en route to a 12-6 win. Jeremy Katz dorve in four runs and had three hits for the winners, backing the pitching of Devin Mayry.
Elliot Omerza went three-for-three while Zach Smith added two hits for Ely. Bradley Roy was tagged with the loss.
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Esko blanks Ely, 8-0
Ely's faint hopes for the number-one seed in the upcoming district playoffs evaporated completely Thursday night in Esko.
The host Eskomos scored three times in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back, as Aaron Olson did damage with both his arm and bat in an 8-0 American Legion baseball victory.
Olson's three-run homer in the bottom of the first put the hosts on the board, and the righthander cruised on the mound, firing a two-hitter and facing just two batters over the minimum in the complete-game shutout. He did not walk a batter.
At the plate, Esko took advantage of numerous walks to jump out to an early lead. Ely ace Louie Gerzin walked six batters and hit another in his three innings of work, and five came around to score. Elliot Omerza gave up two runs over the final three innings. Esko finished with six hits.
Gerzin and Bradley Roy had third-inning singles for Ely, but that was all Post 248 could muster as it fell to 17-8 on the year.
With the loss, Ely can do no better than a number-two seed for the Eighth District Division II playoffs, which start Tuesday at Veterans Memorial Field. International Falls (19-4) wrapped up the top seed Thursday night with a doubleheader sweep over Taconite.
Ely wraps up the regular season Friday with a split doubleheader, home games against both Virginia and Two Harbors.
The host Eskomos scored three times in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back, as Aaron Olson did damage with both his arm and bat in an 8-0 American Legion baseball victory.
Olson's three-run homer in the bottom of the first put the hosts on the board, and the righthander cruised on the mound, firing a two-hitter and facing just two batters over the minimum in the complete-game shutout. He did not walk a batter.
At the plate, Esko took advantage of numerous walks to jump out to an early lead. Ely ace Louie Gerzin walked six batters and hit another in his three innings of work, and five came around to score. Elliot Omerza gave up two runs over the final three innings. Esko finished with six hits.
Gerzin and Bradley Roy had third-inning singles for Ely, but that was all Post 248 could muster as it fell to 17-8 on the year.
With the loss, Ely can do no better than a number-two seed for the Eighth District Division II playoffs, which start Tuesday at Veterans Memorial Field. International Falls (19-4) wrapped up the top seed Thursday night with a doubleheader sweep over Taconite.
Ely wraps up the regular season Friday with a split doubleheader, home games against both Virginia and Two Harbors.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Ely erupts early, takes care of Deer River in five
A big first inning set the stage for an easy victory Wednesday night for Ely's American Legion baseball team.
Post 248 sent 10 batters to the plate in the bottom of the first, scoring five times en route to an 11-1, five-inning district victory over visiting Deer River.
The win, Ely's 11th in 13 games, was fueled in part by a three-for-three day at the plate by Pat Huisman, who scored four times.
Huisman singled in a run in the bottom of the first and Cole Kellogg's two-out, two-run single capped the five-run outburst.
That staked winning pitcher Max Gantt to a comfortable cushion, and the senior won his fourth straight start, finishing with a five-hitter and three strikeouts.
Elliot Omerza went two-for-three and knocked in two runs for Ely (17-7), while senior first baseman Bradley Roy had two singles and a sacrifice bunt.
Ely is back in action Thursday night at Esko in a crucial district two-point contest.
Much remains to be decided in the Eighth District Division II standings, and Ely could still finish anywhere from first to fourth. Post 248 needs to win its last two contests, and for International Falls to lose at least twice, in order to claim the top seed for the district tournament, which starts July 22 at Ely.
Post 248 sent 10 batters to the plate in the bottom of the first, scoring five times en route to an 11-1, five-inning district victory over visiting Deer River.
The win, Ely's 11th in 13 games, was fueled in part by a three-for-three day at the plate by Pat Huisman, who scored four times.
Huisman singled in a run in the bottom of the first and Cole Kellogg's two-out, two-run single capped the five-run outburst.
That staked winning pitcher Max Gantt to a comfortable cushion, and the senior won his fourth straight start, finishing with a five-hitter and three strikeouts.
Elliot Omerza went two-for-three and knocked in two runs for Ely (17-7), while senior first baseman Bradley Roy had two singles and a sacrifice bunt.
Ely is back in action Thursday night at Esko in a crucial district two-point contest.
Much remains to be decided in the Eighth District Division II standings, and Ely could still finish anywhere from first to fourth. Post 248 needs to win its last two contests, and for International Falls to lose at least twice, in order to claim the top seed for the district tournament, which starts July 22 at Ely.
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Gustafson, Gerzin fuel win in Sir G's finale
Will Gustafson went the distance on the mound and drove in three runs, while fellow senior Louie Gerzin added four hits as Ely downed Proctor 10-4 Sunday in the final game of the Sir G's Midsummer Classic.
A seven-run outburst in the bottom of the second, all with two outs, gave Gustafson a comfortable lead and the righthander made the most of it, scattering eight hits en route to his third win of the summer.
Gustafson had a two-run single during the rally, when seven straight Ely batters reached base. Gerzin went four-for-four, scored three and knocked in two runs for the winners, who finished 3-1 in the tournament and are now 16-7 overall.
Proctor scored twice in the top of the second to take a 2-1 lead but that advantage was brief, as Post 248 responded with its big inning.
Spencer Gaulke added two hits for Ely, which returns to action Wednesday with a 7:30 p.m. home game against Deer River.
In other Sir G's action Sunday, International Falls won its third game of the tournament and shocked Division I power Duluth Lakeview 5-3 behind the pitching of Caleb Dahlin. Kenyon downed Virginia 5-3 while Ely's VFW team filled in for Hermantown and defeated Pine City 17-9.
A seven-run outburst in the bottom of the second, all with two outs, gave Gustafson a comfortable lead and the righthander made the most of it, scattering eight hits en route to his third win of the summer.
Gustafson had a two-run single during the rally, when seven straight Ely batters reached base. Gerzin went four-for-four, scored three and knocked in two runs for the winners, who finished 3-1 in the tournament and are now 16-7 overall.
Proctor scored twice in the top of the second to take a 2-1 lead but that advantage was brief, as Post 248 responded with its big inning.
Spencer Gaulke added two hits for Ely, which returns to action Wednesday with a 7:30 p.m. home game against Deer River.
In other Sir G's action Sunday, International Falls won its third game of the tournament and shocked Division I power Duluth Lakeview 5-3 behind the pitching of Caleb Dahlin. Kenyon downed Virginia 5-3 while Ely's VFW team filled in for Hermantown and defeated Pine City 17-9.
Ely rallies past Cloquet, Omerza gets game-winning hit
A big comeback gave Ely's American Legion baseball team its biggest win of the season on Saturday night.
Elliot Omerza's two-out single in the bottom of the eighth plated pinch runner Kyle Durbin with the winning run and Ely rallied past Cloquet 8-7 in eight innings Saturday night at Veterans Memorial Field.
Omerza's hit capped a huge comeback for Post 248, which erased a 6-0 deficit and came back to improve to 2-1 for the Sir G's Classic and 15-7 for the year.
Pat Huisman, who went the distance on the mound to pick up his fourth win of the summer, laced a two-run double in the sixth to tie the game. He went four-for-four at the plate and went the distance on a complete-game 10-hitter, striking out five.
Omerza had two hits and three runs batted in for the winners, while Max Gantt had a pair of hits.
Huisman's two-run double in the bottom of the sixth tied the game at seven and that's how it stayed until the eighth, when Bradley Roy's infield single ignited the game-winning rally. Durbin entered the game to run, advanced to second on a wild pitch and was moved to third on a Jeff Willis sacrifice bunt. After a two-out intentional walk to Huisman, Omerza lined a single to right to end the game.
Earlier Saturday, Ely fell 3-0 to district rival International Falls as Ben Humbert outdueled Post 248's Louie Gerzin.
Ely outhit International Falls 3-2, but the visiting Broncos scored all three of their runs on passed balls.
Friday, July 11, 2014
Close games, blowouts in Sir G's Classic
The first day of the Sir G's Midsummer Classic had a little bit of everything.
While host Ely had no trouble with Pine City in a 20-1, five-inning rout, most of the games on the first day of the 13th annual event were close.
The game of the day may have been International Falls' 4-3 victory over Cloquet, capped by Wyatt Ulrich's two-run single in the bottom of the seventh.
Hermantown edged Virginia 3-2 but later fell to Taconite 8-6, while Kenyon opened play Friday with a 5-3 decision over Taconite.
Ely, which takes on International Falls, capitalized on 13 walks and two hit batsmen and scored in every inning, jumping out to a 4-0 lead after one frame and putting the game away with a nine-run third.
Jeff Willis and Louie Gerzin scored three runs each, while Pat Huisman had two singles and three runs batted in. Will Gustafson drove in a pair of runs and scored twice, while winning pitcher Max Gantt fanned eight and gave up two hits in four innings.
While host Ely had no trouble with Pine City in a 20-1, five-inning rout, most of the games on the first day of the 13th annual event were close.
The game of the day may have been International Falls' 4-3 victory over Cloquet, capped by Wyatt Ulrich's two-run single in the bottom of the seventh.
Hermantown edged Virginia 3-2 but later fell to Taconite 8-6, while Kenyon opened play Friday with a 5-3 decision over Taconite.
Ely, which takes on International Falls, capitalized on 13 walks and two hit batsmen and scored in every inning, jumping out to a 4-0 lead after one frame and putting the game away with a nine-run third.
Jeff Willis and Louie Gerzin scored three runs each, while Pat Huisman had two singles and three runs batted in. Will Gustafson drove in a pair of runs and scored twice, while winning pitcher Max Gantt fanned eight and gave up two hits in four innings.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
13th Sir G's Classic about to begin, loaded with top talent
The field is set and the first pitch awaits in the 13th Annual Sir G's/Ely Legion Midsummer Classic.
The 10-team tournament, one of the largest in northeastern Minnesota and loaded with the area's leading Division I and Division II teams, gets underway Friday with five games in Ely and two more at Soudan's Legion Field.
Host Ely, winners of six of its last seven, takes on Pine City at 8 p.m. Friday to close out the first day of action in an event that boasts considerable talent.
Defending district champion Taconite, first-year powerhouse International Falls (12-3) and southern Minnesota contender Kenyon join Ely, ranked sixth in the state among small-school teams, as leading Division II teams in the event. Duluth Lakeview is one of several top-flight Division I programs in the event, joining Cloquet, Proctor, Hemantown and Virginia. Pine City, a Division II team, rounds out the 10-team field.
The tournament includes nine of the 12-members of the Duluth News-Tribune's All-Area team and three high school all-staters - Ely's Louie Gerzin, Kenyon's Alex Roosen and Duluth East's Jake Turner.
Sponsored by the popular Sheridan Street Italian restaurant, the Sir G's event started in 2002 and the 10-team field matches last year's tournament as the biggest yet. The teams will be divided into two five-team pools and will play four games each, weather permitting.
The tournament also coincides with the first-ever Ely Baseball Days Celebration, which includes an Ely baseball history display that can be viewed at Veterans Memorial Field throughout the event. Friday night is also Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital Night at the ballpark, with all hospital employees and board members admitted free.
Tournament Schedule
Friday - at Ely
10:00 a.m. - Taconite vs. Kenyon
12:30 p.m. - Hermantown vs. Virginia
3:00 p.m.- Int. Falls vs. Cloquet
5:30 p.m. - Kenyon vs. Duluth Lakeview
8:00 p.m.- Ely vs. Pine City
Friday - at Soudan
3:45 p.m. - Taconite vs. Hermantown
6:15 p.m. - Cloquet vs. Proctor
Saturday - at Ely
8:30 a.m. - Virginia vs. Duluth Lakeview
10:45 a.m.- Taconite vs. Duluth Lakeview
1:00 p.m. - Ely vs. Int. Falls
3:15 p.m.- Cloquet vs. Pine City
5:30 p.m. - Int. Falls vs. Proctor
7:45 p.m. - Ely vs. Cloquet
Saturday - at Soudan
10:30 a.m.- Proctor vs. Pine City
1:00 p.m. - Hermantown vs. Kenyon
3:30 p.m.- Virginia vs. Taconite
Sunday - at Ely
9:30 a.m. - Kenyon vs. Virginia
11:45 a.m. - Int. Falls vs. Pine City
2:00 p.m. - Hermantown vs. Duluth Lakeview
4:15 p.m. - Ely vs. Proctor
The 10-team tournament, one of the largest in northeastern Minnesota and loaded with the area's leading Division I and Division II teams, gets underway Friday with five games in Ely and two more at Soudan's Legion Field.
Host Ely, winners of six of its last seven, takes on Pine City at 8 p.m. Friday to close out the first day of action in an event that boasts considerable talent.
Defending district champion Taconite, first-year powerhouse International Falls (12-3) and southern Minnesota contender Kenyon join Ely, ranked sixth in the state among small-school teams, as leading Division II teams in the event. Duluth Lakeview is one of several top-flight Division I programs in the event, joining Cloquet, Proctor, Hemantown and Virginia. Pine City, a Division II team, rounds out the 10-team field.
The tournament includes nine of the 12-members of the Duluth News-Tribune's All-Area team and three high school all-staters - Ely's Louie Gerzin, Kenyon's Alex Roosen and Duluth East's Jake Turner.
Sponsored by the popular Sheridan Street Italian restaurant, the Sir G's event started in 2002 and the 10-team field matches last year's tournament as the biggest yet. The teams will be divided into two five-team pools and will play four games each, weather permitting.
The tournament also coincides with the first-ever Ely Baseball Days Celebration, which includes an Ely baseball history display that can be viewed at Veterans Memorial Field throughout the event. Friday night is also Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital Night at the ballpark, with all hospital employees and board members admitted free.
Tournament Schedule
Friday - at Ely
10:00 a.m. - Taconite vs. Kenyon
12:30 p.m. - Hermantown vs. Virginia
3:00 p.m.- Int. Falls vs. Cloquet
5:30 p.m. - Kenyon vs. Duluth Lakeview
8:00 p.m.- Ely vs. Pine City
Friday - at Soudan
3:45 p.m. - Taconite vs. Hermantown
6:15 p.m. - Cloquet vs. Proctor
Saturday - at Ely
8:30 a.m. - Virginia vs. Duluth Lakeview
10:45 a.m.- Taconite vs. Duluth Lakeview
1:00 p.m. - Ely vs. Int. Falls
3:15 p.m.- Cloquet vs. Pine City
5:30 p.m. - Int. Falls vs. Proctor
7:45 p.m. - Ely vs. Cloquet
Saturday - at Soudan
10:30 a.m.- Proctor vs. Pine City
1:00 p.m. - Hermantown vs. Kenyon
3:30 p.m.- Virginia vs. Taconite
Sunday - at Ely
9:30 a.m. - Kenyon vs. Virginia
11:45 a.m. - Int. Falls vs. Pine City
2:00 p.m. - Hermantown vs. Duluth Lakeview
4:15 p.m. - Ely vs. Proctor
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Gustafson pitches Ely past Taconite
Some timely hitting and a stellar pitching performance by senior Will Gustafson helped Ely's American Legion baseball team pick up a key district win.
Gustafson tossed a three-hitter and didn't allow an earned run, and Cole Kellogg's run-scoring double in the bottom of the sixth provided key insurance in a 3-2 Little League Night victory over Taconite at Veterans Memorial Field.
Before a crowd that included all four of Ely's Little League teams, Post 248 completed a regular season sweep over the defending district champions - with Gustafson keeping the visitors at bay.
The crafty righthander blanked Taconite through four frames and gave up an unearned run in the fifth that tied the game.
Ely grabbed the edge right back in the home half of the fifth, with Jeff Willis lacing a leadoff double and scoring on Elliot Omerza's fielders choice.
Kellogg knocked in Spencer Gaulke in the sixth to make it 3-1, but Ely had to survive some anxious moments in the seventh. Pat Shea's two-out pop-up was dropped, allowing Joe LaDoux to score from second and giving Taconite new life.
But Gustafson got losing pitcher John LaBine to fly out to end the rally and give Post 248 its third straight win and sixth victory in seven outings.
Omerza knocked in two runs for the winners, and Willis went two-for-four at the plate.
After off days Wednesday and Thursday, Ely returns to action Friday at 8 p.m. when it meets Pine City in the opening round of the 10-team Sir G's Midsummer Classic.
Gustafson tossed a three-hitter and didn't allow an earned run, and Cole Kellogg's run-scoring double in the bottom of the sixth provided key insurance in a 3-2 Little League Night victory over Taconite at Veterans Memorial Field.
Before a crowd that included all four of Ely's Little League teams, Post 248 completed a regular season sweep over the defending district champions - with Gustafson keeping the visitors at bay.
The crafty righthander blanked Taconite through four frames and gave up an unearned run in the fifth that tied the game.
Ely grabbed the edge right back in the home half of the fifth, with Jeff Willis lacing a leadoff double and scoring on Elliot Omerza's fielders choice.
Kellogg knocked in Spencer Gaulke in the sixth to make it 3-1, but Ely had to survive some anxious moments in the seventh. Pat Shea's two-out pop-up was dropped, allowing Joe LaDoux to score from second and giving Taconite new life.
But Gustafson got losing pitcher John LaBine to fly out to end the rally and give Post 248 its third straight win and sixth victory in seven outings.
Omerza knocked in two runs for the winners, and Willis went two-for-four at the plate.
After off days Wednesday and Thursday, Ely returns to action Friday at 8 p.m. when it meets Pine City in the opening round of the 10-team Sir G's Midsummer Classic.
Monday, July 7, 2014
Gerzin's first homer powers Legion sweep
Louie Gerzin's first career home run ignited a stalled offense and Ely's American Legion baseball team went on to an easy sweep of visiting Cook County on Monday.
Gerzin's three-run blast was the key blow in a 10-0, six-inning opening game win, while Ely kept on hitting in the nightcap, cruising 15-1 in five innings.
The matinee also featured strong pitching from Ely (11-6), with Gerzin firing a two-hit shutout with 13 strikeouts in the opener and senior Max Gantt following up with an 11-strikeout performance against a young, overmatched Cook County (0-9) team.
Gerzin's fourth-inning blast over the left field fence gave Ely a 6-0 lead and Post 248 finished things early with a four-run sixth, with Gerzin lacing a run-scoring hit to end the game.
Pat Huisman doubled in a run for the winners while Spencer Gaulke was three-for-four with a run batted in. Ben Gantt added two singles.
Ely sent 13 batters to the plate and scored nine times in the first inning to take control of the nightcap.
Will Gustafson finished three-for-four at the plate with three runs scored, while both Jeff Willis and Bradley Roy had two hits and three runs batted in.
Max Gantt had two hits and scored three times, and kept Cook County at bay while going the distance on a four-hitter.
Ely is back in action Tuesday night with a key district contest against Taconite. Start time is 7 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Field, as Ely Baseball Days continues with Little League Night. Members of all four Ely Little League teams will be introduced, and hot dogs will be on sale at the ballpark for $1.
Gerzin's three-run blast was the key blow in a 10-0, six-inning opening game win, while Ely kept on hitting in the nightcap, cruising 15-1 in five innings.
The matinee also featured strong pitching from Ely (11-6), with Gerzin firing a two-hit shutout with 13 strikeouts in the opener and senior Max Gantt following up with an 11-strikeout performance against a young, overmatched Cook County (0-9) team.
Gerzin's fourth-inning blast over the left field fence gave Ely a 6-0 lead and Post 248 finished things early with a four-run sixth, with Gerzin lacing a run-scoring hit to end the game.
Pat Huisman doubled in a run for the winners while Spencer Gaulke was three-for-four with a run batted in. Ben Gantt added two singles.
Ely sent 13 batters to the plate and scored nine times in the first inning to take control of the nightcap.
Will Gustafson finished three-for-four at the plate with three runs scored, while both Jeff Willis and Bradley Roy had two hits and three runs batted in.
Max Gantt had two hits and scored three times, and kept Cook County at bay while going the distance on a four-hitter.
Ely is back in action Tuesday night with a key district contest against Taconite. Start time is 7 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Field, as Ely Baseball Days continues with Little League Night. Members of all four Ely Little League teams will be introduced, and hot dogs will be on sale at the ballpark for $1.
Saturday, July 5, 2014
Rain washes out VFW games
Heavy rains in the Ely area forced the postponement of Saturday's action in the Ely Auto Services VFW Showcase.
Andover led Ely 4-1 in the fifth inning of the opening game when the rains came. Brief but very heavy downpours soaked the infield and left standing water - forcing officials to scrap the rest of the schedule for the day.
Sunday's games are on as planned, with Ely and Andover set to resume their game at 10:30 a.m., followed by the regularly scheduled contest between Ely and Andover. Andover and Ordean will meet in the following contest, with Ely and Ordean set to close out the day.
Andover led Ely 4-1 in the fifth inning of the opening game when the rains came. Brief but very heavy downpours soaked the infield and left standing water - forcing officials to scrap the rest of the schedule for the day.
Sunday's games are on as planned, with Ely and Andover set to resume their game at 10:30 a.m., followed by the regularly scheduled contest between Ely and Andover. Andover and Ordean will meet in the following contest, with Ely and Ordean set to close out the day.
VFW Showcase, Ely Baseball Days get underway
A three-team VFW tournament starts today at Veterans Memorial Field and marks the start of the first-ever Ely Baseball Days celebration.
The Ely Auto Services VFW Showcase begins at 2 p.m, with Ely taking on Twin Cities power Andover in the first of three games today at Veterans Memorial Field.
Ordean (Duluth East) is also part of the round-robin event and will meet Andover at 4:30 and Ely at 7 p.m. The teams play in the same order Sunday, with contests at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
The event coincides with the start of Ely Baseball Days, aimed at promoting Ely's baseball program and rich baseball history and including a series of events and special promotions throughout the week, culminating in next weekend's 10-team Sir G's Legion Midsummer Classic.
The Ely Auto Services VFW Showcase begins at 2 p.m, with Ely taking on Twin Cities power Andover in the first of three games today at Veterans Memorial Field.
Ordean (Duluth East) is also part of the round-robin event and will meet Andover at 4:30 and Ely at 7 p.m. The teams play in the same order Sunday, with contests at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
The event coincides with the start of Ely Baseball Days, aimed at promoting Ely's baseball program and rich baseball history and including a series of events and special promotions throughout the week, culminating in next weekend's 10-team Sir G's Legion Midsummer Classic.
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Ely Baseball Days celebration begins
Veterans Memorial Field will be the hub for this week for Ely's newest celebration.
The community's rich baseball history, its vibrant youth program and a recent penchant for hosting tournaments comes together for the first-ever Ely Baseball Days.
The community's rich baseball history, its vibrant youth program and a recent penchant for hosting tournaments comes together for the first-ever Ely Baseball Days.
The nine-day celebration includes a pair of tournaments - this weekend's Ely Auto Services VFW Showcase and next weekend's Sir G's Legion Midsummer Classic - and will be full of special events and promotions.
Discounted food items, prize giveaways, recognition ceremonies and plenty of baseball - 29 games at the ballpark during the extravaganza - are on the docket.
It's part of an attempt to enhance fan support for local teams and draw attention to the community's baseball program as well as Ely's many tournaments, which bring hundreds of people to town.
The activities include three games both Saturday and Sunday as part of the VFW tournament, and games all week long leading to the 10-team Sir G's Midsummer Classic, which starts Friday, July 11.
Among the special events include:
• Senior Citizen Day during the Legion team's 1 p.m. matinee doubleheader with Cook County on Monday, with all seniors receiving a free beverage with the purchase of a concession stand sandwich;
• $1 hot dogs both Tuesday (Legion vs. Taconite, 7 p.m.) and Wednesday (Junior League tripleheader, starting at 3:30);
• Little League Night Tuesday with the introduction of all four Ely majors teams, including the league champion Cardinals;
• Prize drawings during Wednesday's Junior League tripleheader involving Ely, Cook County and Virginia;
• Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital Night, set for the Friday evening session in the Sir G's Midsummer Classic;
• An Ely baseball history display, which can be viewed at the ballpark throughout the Sir G's Midsummer Classic.
T-shirts recognizing and hailing the Ely Baseball Family will be on sale for $15, with proceeds supporting local baseball.
Organizers are also hoping to grow the Ely Baseball Days celebration next year and beyond, involving local organizations and recognizing Ely baseball alumni and previous championship teams.
Look for updates throughout the week on Ely Baseball Days.
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Katz, Virginia blank Ely
Ely couldn't cash in on a pair of scoring chances Wednesday night, and Virginia made the most of its lone opportunity.
That, and the pitching of Virginia's Jeremy Katz, were the difference in Virginia's 3-0 victory over Ely at Stock Field.
Visiting Ely left two runners aboard in the top of the first and Katz got a double-play ball to escape a fifth-inning jam en route to a two-hit shutout and 12 strikeouts over six innings. Teammate Ryan Cunningham set down Ely in order in the seventh.
Virginia got all three runs against losing pitcher Louie Gerzin in the second, getting four of its five hits in the frame and capitalizing on an error and a balk.
That was it for the hosts, as Gerzin struck out 10 while losing his first start of the summer.
Max Gantt and Pat Huisman had Ely's only hits.
Ely is off for four days and returns to action Monday for an afternoon matinee doubleheader against Cook County. Start time is 1 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Field.
• Earlier Wednesday, Huisman had a grand slam in the Ely VFW team's 14-4 win at Virginia. The VFW hosts the Ely Auto Services Showcase Saturday and Sunday.
That, and the pitching of Virginia's Jeremy Katz, were the difference in Virginia's 3-0 victory over Ely at Stock Field.
Visiting Ely left two runners aboard in the top of the first and Katz got a double-play ball to escape a fifth-inning jam en route to a two-hit shutout and 12 strikeouts over six innings. Teammate Ryan Cunningham set down Ely in order in the seventh.
Virginia got all three runs against losing pitcher Louie Gerzin in the second, getting four of its five hits in the frame and capitalizing on an error and a balk.
That was it for the hosts, as Gerzin struck out 10 while losing his first start of the summer.
Max Gantt and Pat Huisman had Ely's only hits.
Ely is off for four days and returns to action Monday for an afternoon matinee doubleheader against Cook County. Start time is 1 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Field.
• Earlier Wednesday, Huisman had a grand slam in the Ely VFW team's 14-4 win at Virginia. The VFW hosts the Ely Auto Services Showcase Saturday and Sunday.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Seventh-inning rally fuels sweep of Moose Lake
A wild finish in the opening game sent Ely's American Legion baseball team on to a doubleheader sweep Tuesday night against visiting Moose Lake.
Ely scored twice with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, with the tying run scoring on a wild pitch and the winning run coming across after a throwing error at home plate, to pull out a 3-2 first-game win at chilly Veterans Memorial Field. Post 248 took the nightcap 13-5 behind the pitching of Max Gantt and an 11-hit attack.
The first game had one of the strangest endings in the history of Ely baseball. Trailing 2-1 with two outs in the seventh, the hosts loaded the bases on walks to Max Gantt and Louie Gerzin and a single by Pat Huisman.
With Elliot Omerza at the plate, losing pitcher Teddy Ryan's 2-1 pitch evaded the Moose Lake catcher. Gantt scored easily from third, and the catcher's throw to the plate sailed past the pitcher and allowed Gerzin to score all the way from second.
The walkoff win gave Pat Huisman his third pitching victory. The sophomore righthander scattered six hits, gave up just one earned run, and reached double digits in strikeouts for a third straight start and finished with 11. Huisman also had two of Ely's six hits against Ryan.
In the second game, Ely scored four times in the bottom of the first to stake Gantt to an early lead, but Moose Lake rallied and took a 5-4 lead in the third, scoring without the benefit of a hit.
The visitors' lead was short-lived, as Ely responded with a run in the third and seven more in the fourth.
Senior Will Gustafson helped lead the hit parade, going three-for-five for the evening with three runs batted in, including a two-run single in the fourth. Huisman also lined a two-run single during the frame and wound up with two hits and three runs batted in. Gantt and Cole Kellogg added two hits each.
After a brief bout with wildness in the third, Gantt settled in and finished with a four-hitter and his first win of the summer. He struck out two.
Ely scored twice with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, with the tying run scoring on a wild pitch and the winning run coming across after a throwing error at home plate, to pull out a 3-2 first-game win at chilly Veterans Memorial Field. Post 248 took the nightcap 13-5 behind the pitching of Max Gantt and an 11-hit attack.
The first game had one of the strangest endings in the history of Ely baseball. Trailing 2-1 with two outs in the seventh, the hosts loaded the bases on walks to Max Gantt and Louie Gerzin and a single by Pat Huisman.
With Elliot Omerza at the plate, losing pitcher Teddy Ryan's 2-1 pitch evaded the Moose Lake catcher. Gantt scored easily from third, and the catcher's throw to the plate sailed past the pitcher and allowed Gerzin to score all the way from second.
The walkoff win gave Pat Huisman his third pitching victory. The sophomore righthander scattered six hits, gave up just one earned run, and reached double digits in strikeouts for a third straight start and finished with 11. Huisman also had two of Ely's six hits against Ryan.
In the second game, Ely scored four times in the bottom of the first to stake Gantt to an early lead, but Moose Lake rallied and took a 5-4 lead in the third, scoring without the benefit of a hit.
The visitors' lead was short-lived, as Ely responded with a run in the third and seven more in the fourth.
Senior Will Gustafson helped lead the hit parade, going three-for-five for the evening with three runs batted in, including a two-run single in the fourth. Huisman also lined a two-run single during the frame and wound up with two hits and three runs batted in. Gantt and Cole Kellogg added two hits each.
After a brief bout with wildness in the third, Gantt settled in and finished with a four-hitter and his first win of the summer. He struck out two.
Monday, June 30, 2014
Ely rallies past Brookston; Kellogg delivers key hit
A two-out rally gave Ely's American Legion Baseball team a come-from-behind victory on Monday night.
Elliot Omerza's two-out hit tied the game, and Cole Kellogg followed later in the frame with a bases-clearing, three-run double as Post 248 beat visiting Brookston 5-2 in an Eighth District contest at Veterans Memorial Field.
Senior pitcher Will Gustafson pitched with a sprained ankle and went the distance to get his first win of the summer, and Ely snapped a brief two-game losing streak and improved to 7-5.
Gustafson scattered seven hits, struck out six and neither of the runs he gave up were earned.
And thanks to a big throw from rightfielder Ben Gantt, Gustafson escaped big trouble in the top of the fifth, when Brookston (3-7) scratched out a run to take a 2-1 lead. It could have been worse, but Gantt's throw home cut down a runner trying to score from third on a fly out to right.
Brookston left the bases loaded in the fifth, and Ely responded in the bottom half of the frame with Gantt working a walk against losing pitcher Ross Schminski to start the rally. Omerza's two-out hit tied the game, and Spencer Gaulke drew a walk to load them up for Kellogg, who laced a double to left to clear the bases.
Both Omerza and Louie Gerzin finished with two hits for Ely, which is back in action Tuesday night when it hosts Moose Lake in a 5 p.m. district twinbill.
Elliot Omerza's two-out hit tied the game, and Cole Kellogg followed later in the frame with a bases-clearing, three-run double as Post 248 beat visiting Brookston 5-2 in an Eighth District contest at Veterans Memorial Field.
Senior pitcher Will Gustafson pitched with a sprained ankle and went the distance to get his first win of the summer, and Ely snapped a brief two-game losing streak and improved to 7-5.
Gustafson scattered seven hits, struck out six and neither of the runs he gave up were earned.
And thanks to a big throw from rightfielder Ben Gantt, Gustafson escaped big trouble in the top of the fifth, when Brookston (3-7) scratched out a run to take a 2-1 lead. It could have been worse, but Gantt's throw home cut down a runner trying to score from third on a fly out to right.
Brookston left the bases loaded in the fifth, and Ely responded in the bottom half of the frame with Gantt working a walk against losing pitcher Ross Schminski to start the rally. Omerza's two-out hit tied the game, and Spencer Gaulke drew a walk to load them up for Kellogg, who laced a double to left to clear the bases.
Both Omerza and Louie Gerzin finished with two hits for Ely, which is back in action Tuesday night when it hosts Moose Lake in a 5 p.m. district twinbill.
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Omerza wins in pitching debut
Elliot Omerza didn't just win his first American Legion pitching start; he nearly made history.
The junior righthander took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and finished with a two-hitter and five strikeouts as Post 248 held on to win 6-4 at Deer River.
Omerza didn't give up an earned run, retired 15 straight batters in one stretch, and was cruising with a 6-1 lead into the seventh.
After a one-out walk, Chad Benham broke up the no-hitter, and an Ely error and a Bubba Oberg single resulted in three Deer River runs. But Omerza worked out of trouble and retired the hosts, clinching his first pitching victory in a Legion uniform and helping Post 248 win its second straight contest.
Omerza also helped his own cause, lining run-scoring hits in both the first and second frames. Spencer Gaulke and Pat Huisman also knocked in runs during a three-run second.
Ely scratched out an unearned run in the fourth and Huisman's sacrifice fly plated Gaulke in the sixth.
The winners had nine hits, with Max Gantt, Huisman, Omerza and Cole Kellogg finishing with two each.
Ely is off Wednesday and goes on the road Thursday to launch a three-day, five-game southern swing which includes single contests against BOLD, Sacred Heart and Jordan, and a Saturday twinbill with Kenyon-Wanamingo.
The junior righthander took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and finished with a two-hitter and five strikeouts as Post 248 held on to win 6-4 at Deer River.
Omerza didn't give up an earned run, retired 15 straight batters in one stretch, and was cruising with a 6-1 lead into the seventh.
After a one-out walk, Chad Benham broke up the no-hitter, and an Ely error and a Bubba Oberg single resulted in three Deer River runs. But Omerza worked out of trouble and retired the hosts, clinching his first pitching victory in a Legion uniform and helping Post 248 win its second straight contest.
Omerza also helped his own cause, lining run-scoring hits in both the first and second frames. Spencer Gaulke and Pat Huisman also knocked in runs during a three-run second.
Ely scratched out an unearned run in the fourth and Huisman's sacrifice fly plated Gaulke in the sixth.
The winners had nine hits, with Max Gantt, Huisman, Omerza and Cole Kellogg finishing with two each.
Ely is off Wednesday and goes on the road Thursday to launch a three-day, five-game southern swing which includes single contests against BOLD, Sacred Heart and Jordan, and a Saturday twinbill with Kenyon-Wanamingo.
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Gerzin blanks Brookston; Ely finishes 2-2 at 27th DQ Classic
Louie Gerzin returned to the lineup after a brief absence and was dominant on the mound, firing a two-hitter with 11 strikeouts as Ely blasted Brookston 10-0 in Sunday's DQ Grill and Chill Classic finale.
After playing Friday and Saturday in the Play Ball Minnesota High School All-Star Series at Chanhassen, Gerzin was back in Ely red-and-black and had little trouble with Brookston.
The hard-throwing righthander struck out the side in the first inning and had a no-hitter through five frames.
Ely (3-2) scored all the runs Gerzin would need in the first, plating three without the benefit of a hit and capitalizing on five walks issued by losing pitcher Zach Johnson.
Post 248 warmed its bats up later on, with eighth-grader Gage Merhar going two-for-three in his Legion debut.
Spencer Gaulke had two hits including a two-run single and Elliot Omerza had two hits and two runs batted in.
Ely returns to action Tuesday with an Eighth District Division II league game at Deer River.
In other DQ Grill and Chill action Sunday, Madison clinched the tournament championship with a 7-3 win over Deer River. Madison and Blackduck both finished 4-0, but Madison claimed the crown by giving up 10 runs in the tournament, compared to 13 for Blackduck.
Blackduck edged Foley 5-3 Sunday and Minnetonka outscored Roseau 11-6.
After playing Friday and Saturday in the Play Ball Minnesota High School All-Star Series at Chanhassen, Gerzin was back in Ely red-and-black and had little trouble with Brookston.
The hard-throwing righthander struck out the side in the first inning and had a no-hitter through five frames.
Ely (3-2) scored all the runs Gerzin would need in the first, plating three without the benefit of a hit and capitalizing on five walks issued by losing pitcher Zach Johnson.
Post 248 warmed its bats up later on, with eighth-grader Gage Merhar going two-for-three in his Legion debut.
Spencer Gaulke had two hits including a two-run single and Elliot Omerza had two hits and two runs batted in.
Ely returns to action Tuesday with an Eighth District Division II league game at Deer River.
In other DQ Grill and Chill action Sunday, Madison clinched the tournament championship with a 7-3 win over Deer River. Madison and Blackduck both finished 4-0, but Madison claimed the crown by giving up 10 runs in the tournament, compared to 13 for Blackduck.
Blackduck edged Foley 5-3 Sunday and Minnetonka outscored Roseau 11-6.
Sunday action underway in 27th DQ Classic
Blackduck put itself in the running to win the the 27th annual DQ Grill and Chill Ely Legion Classic with a 5-3 win over Foley on Sunday morning.
Blackduck finished 4-0 in the nine-team event, and joins Madison (3-0) in the ranks of the unbeatens. Madison is set to play Deer River at noon, and a victory would force the title to be decided by a tournament tiebreaker - least runs allowed.
Thus far, Blackduck has given up 13 runs in four wins, while Madison has yielded 7.
Still to come at Veterans Memorial Field:
noon - Madison vs. Deer River
2:15 - Roseau vs. Minnetonka
4:30 - Ely vs. Brookston.
Blackduck finished 4-0 in the nine-team event, and joins Madison (3-0) in the ranks of the unbeatens. Madison is set to play Deer River at noon, and a victory would force the title to be decided by a tournament tiebreaker - least runs allowed.
Thus far, Blackduck has given up 13 runs in four wins, while Madison has yielded 7.
Still to come at Veterans Memorial Field:
noon - Madison vs. Deer River
2:15 - Roseau vs. Minnetonka
4:30 - Ely vs. Brookston.
Ely foiled in Saturday action at DQ Classic
A pair of two-out rallies did in Ely's American Legion baseball team Saturday during the 27th annual DQ Grill and Chill Classic.
Down to its last out, Blackduck ralllied for three runs in the top of the seventh and stunned Post 248 8-6 in action Saturday afternoon at Veterans Memorial Field.
Ely had another heartbreaker under the lights, misfiring on chances in both the bottom of the sixth and bottom of the eighth and watching Madison score with two outs in the top of the ninth en route to a 7-5 extra-inning triumph.
Max Gantt suffered the tough-luck pitching loss in the nightcap. The senior did not give up an earned run as Ely struggled defensively, finishing with six errors. Gantt, Spencer Gaulke and Pat Huisman all had run-scoring hits for Post 248.
Ely, now 1-2 in the tournament and 2-2 overall, takes on Brookston at 4:15 p.m. Sunday to close out the event.
In other action Saturday:
• Blackduck 13, Deer River 2;
• Roseau 8, Taconite 2;
• Madison 10, Brookston 1;
• Brookston 11, Deer River 3;
• Foley 10, Roseau 0;
• Foley 6, Minnetonka 1.
Down to its last out, Blackduck ralllied for three runs in the top of the seventh and stunned Post 248 8-6 in action Saturday afternoon at Veterans Memorial Field.
Ely had another heartbreaker under the lights, misfiring on chances in both the bottom of the sixth and bottom of the eighth and watching Madison score with two outs in the top of the ninth en route to a 7-5 extra-inning triumph.
Max Gantt suffered the tough-luck pitching loss in the nightcap. The senior did not give up an earned run as Ely struggled defensively, finishing with six errors. Gantt, Spencer Gaulke and Pat Huisman all had run-scoring hits for Post 248.
Ely, now 1-2 in the tournament and 2-2 overall, takes on Brookston at 4:15 p.m. Sunday to close out the event.
In other action Saturday:
• Blackduck 13, Deer River 2;
• Roseau 8, Taconite 2;
• Madison 10, Brookston 1;
• Brookston 11, Deer River 3;
• Foley 10, Roseau 0;
• Foley 6, Minnetonka 1.
Friday, June 20, 2014
Huisman pitches Ely to first-round DQ win
A brilliant pitching performance by Pat Huisman got Ely off on the right foot in the opening round of the 27th annual DQ Grill and Chill Classic.
The sophomore righthander was nicked for a first-inning run but dominated the rest of the way, finishing with a four-hitter and 11 strikeouts as Post 248 clipped Foley 4-1 Friday night at Veterans Memorial Field.
Huisman's first win of the summer was a masterpiece. He issued only one walk, in the final frame, and didn't allow a hit after the fourth inning. He finished with back-to-back strikeouts to reach double digits for the first time in his Legion career.
Ely capitalized on three consecutive hits and some shaky Foley fielding to take control of the contest in the second inning. Back-to-back hits by Tayler Banks and Bradley Roy and a throwing error set the table, and sophomore Cole Kellogg's single to right tied the game. Max Gantt reached on a two-out error, allowing both Roy and Kellogg to score and make it 3-1.
Losing pitcher Tyler Hammers kept Foley in the game, setting down nine straight hitters from the third through fifth innings. The lefty allowed only five hits and recorded nine strikeouts.
Ely got an insurance run in the sixth, following two errors and a base hit by sophomore Spencer Gaulke.
Post 248 returns to action at 1 p.m. Saturday against Blackduck, part of a busy day that also includes a 7:45 p.m. tilt against Madison and the second annual Ely Legion Alumni game, on tap for 5:30 p.m.
In other DQ Classic action Friday:
• Blackduck 9, Taconite 3;
• Roseau 16, Deer River 0 (5);
• Madison 5, Minnetonka 1;
• Taconite 13, Brookston 2 (5).
Saturday's docket has six games in Ely and four more at Legion Field in Soudan.
The sophomore righthander was nicked for a first-inning run but dominated the rest of the way, finishing with a four-hitter and 11 strikeouts as Post 248 clipped Foley 4-1 Friday night at Veterans Memorial Field.
Huisman's first win of the summer was a masterpiece. He issued only one walk, in the final frame, and didn't allow a hit after the fourth inning. He finished with back-to-back strikeouts to reach double digits for the first time in his Legion career.
Ely capitalized on three consecutive hits and some shaky Foley fielding to take control of the contest in the second inning. Back-to-back hits by Tayler Banks and Bradley Roy and a throwing error set the table, and sophomore Cole Kellogg's single to right tied the game. Max Gantt reached on a two-out error, allowing both Roy and Kellogg to score and make it 3-1.
Losing pitcher Tyler Hammers kept Foley in the game, setting down nine straight hitters from the third through fifth innings. The lefty allowed only five hits and recorded nine strikeouts.
Ely got an insurance run in the sixth, following two errors and a base hit by sophomore Spencer Gaulke.
Post 248 returns to action at 1 p.m. Saturday against Blackduck, part of a busy day that also includes a 7:45 p.m. tilt against Madison and the second annual Ely Legion Alumni game, on tap for 5:30 p.m.
In other DQ Classic action Friday:
• Blackduck 9, Taconite 3;
• Roseau 16, Deer River 0 (5);
• Madison 5, Minnetonka 1;
• Taconite 13, Brookston 2 (5).
Saturday's docket has six games in Ely and four more at Legion Field in Soudan.
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Ely pounds Taconite in five-inning opener
All in one night, Ely's American Legion baseball team won its season opener, avenged a 2013 playoff defeat, and pounded out 16 hits.
The offensive barrage, fueled by Pat Huisman and Elliot Omerza, helped give Post 248 a 13-3, five-inning victory over Taconite.
Ely scored four runs in the top of the first and sent 14 batters to the plate in an eight-run fourth, staking winning pitcher Louie Gerzin to a commanding lead.
Gerzin was nearly untouchable, battling some control problems but finishing with 11 strikeouts in four frames. Fellow senior Will Gustafson fired a scoreless fifth frame as Ely closed out the Eighth District win at Marble.
Huisman finished three-for-three at the plate and had a two-run double in the fourth, while Omerza belted three hits and drove in two runs.
Gerzin and Spencer Gaulke finished with two hits each and Gustafson drove in two runs as Ely took down a Taconite team that reached the state tournament a year ago and won its first three games this summer.
Ely is back in action Friday night (8 p.m.), taking on Foley in the first round of the DQ Grill and Chill Classic at Veterans Memorial Field.
Monday, June 16, 2014
Schedule set for 27th DQ Classic
Host Ely will be joined by eight other teams this weekend as it hosts its first major event of the year - the DQ Grill and Chill Classic.
Now in its 27th year, the DQ Classic is one of the longest-running tournaments in Minnesota American Legion Baseball, and brings teams from around the state to Ely's historic Veterans Memorial Field - and Legion Field in Soudan - for a three-day, 18-game extravaganza.
Post 248 will take on Central Minnesota Division II power Foley Friday night (8 p.m.) under the lights and Saturday's dockets includes tilts against two first-time DQ entries - Blackduck (1 p.m.) and Madison (8 p.m.). Ely will take on Brookston at 4:15 p.m. Sunday, in an Eighth District league game, to close out the tournament.
Others in the field include Roseau, defending Eighth District Division II champion Taconite, Minnetonka and Deer River.
Coinciding with the DQ Classic is Post 248's second annual alumni game and alumni weekend festivities. More than 20 former Ely players have signed up to play in the alumni game, slated for 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
The full tournament schedule is posted below.
Now in its 27th year, the DQ Classic is one of the longest-running tournaments in Minnesota American Legion Baseball, and brings teams from around the state to Ely's historic Veterans Memorial Field - and Legion Field in Soudan - for a three-day, 18-game extravaganza.
Post 248 will take on Central Minnesota Division II power Foley Friday night (8 p.m.) under the lights and Saturday's dockets includes tilts against two first-time DQ entries - Blackduck (1 p.m.) and Madison (8 p.m.). Ely will take on Brookston at 4:15 p.m. Sunday, in an Eighth District league game, to close out the tournament.
Others in the field include Roseau, defending Eighth District Division II champion Taconite, Minnetonka and Deer River.
Coinciding with the DQ Classic is Post 248's second annual alumni game and alumni weekend festivities. More than 20 former Ely players have signed up to play in the alumni game, slated for 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
The full tournament schedule is posted below.
Tournament Schedule
Friday June 20 - Ely
12:30 p.m.- Taconite vs. Blackduck
3:00 p.m. - Roseau vs. Deer River
5:30 p.m. - Madison vs. Minnetonka
8:00 p.m. - Ely vs. Foley
Friday June 20 - Soudan
6:00 p.m.- Brookston vs. Taconite
Saturday June 21 - Ely
8:30 a.m.- Roseau vs. Taconite
10:45 a.m. - Foley vs. Minnetonka
1:00 p.m. - Ely vs. Blackduck
3:15 p.m. - Deer River vs. Brookston
5:30 p.m. - ELY ALUMNI GAME
7:45 p.m.- Ely vs. Madison
7:45 p.m.- Ely vs. Madison
Saturday June 21 - Soudan
9:30 a.m. - Deer River vs. Blackduck
noon - Brookston vs. Madison
2:30 p.m. - Roseau vs. Foley
5:00 p.m. - Taconite vs. Minnetonka
Sunday June 22 - Ely
9:30 a.m.- Foley vs. Blackduck
11:45 a.m. - Deer River vs. Madison
2:00 - Roseau vs. Minnetonka
4:15 p.m.- Ely vs. Brookston
2014 season to start Wednesday vs. Taconite
An American Legion season delayed by the success of Ely's section champion high school baseball team will get underway this week.
In a rematch of last year's district final, Post 248 opens the 2014 campaign against Taconite Wednesday (6 p.m.) at Marble. The Eighth District Division II league contest starts a season pushed back by well over a week while the Timberwolf high school baseball team took part in the state Class A tournament, where it finished sixth.
Several key contributors to the high school team will form an imposing nucleus for Ely, including senior pitchers Louie Gerzin, Will Gustafson and Max Gantt. All three started a year ago for a Legion team that won 23 games and finished second in the district.
This week's action also includes the DQ Grill and Chill Classic, a nine-team tournament that starts Friday at Veterans Memorial Field.
A scheduled game tonight at Esko was postponed and will be rescheduled to a later date.
In a rematch of last year's district final, Post 248 opens the 2014 campaign against Taconite Wednesday (6 p.m.) at Marble. The Eighth District Division II league contest starts a season pushed back by well over a week while the Timberwolf high school baseball team took part in the state Class A tournament, where it finished sixth.
Several key contributors to the high school team will form an imposing nucleus for Ely, including senior pitchers Louie Gerzin, Will Gustafson and Max Gantt. All three started a year ago for a Legion team that won 23 games and finished second in the district.
This week's action also includes the DQ Grill and Chill Classic, a nine-team tournament that starts Friday at Veterans Memorial Field.
A scheduled game tonight at Esko was postponed and will be rescheduled to a later date.
Monday, June 9, 2014
Merhar's no-hitter lifts Ely Juniors
A no-hitter by pitcher Gage Merhar was among the highlights Monday night as Ely's Junior League team started the season with a doubleheader sweep of visiting Mesabi East.
Merhar's gem, which came with 12 strikeouts, came as Ely downed Mesabi East 9-0 in five innings to complete the sweep. Earlier on, Thomas Montana was on the mound in an 11-2 victory. Montana tossed a four-hitter.
Austin Kallberg and Ryan Quick both had three hits in the doubleheader for Ely, and Merhar added a bases-clearing double in the opening game, which kicked off action in the inaugural season for Iron Range Baseball, a newly-formed, 12-team league for players 14-and-under.
Ely travels to Gilbert Wednesday to take on Eveleth-Gilbert.
Merhar's gem, which came with 12 strikeouts, came as Ely downed Mesabi East 9-0 in five innings to complete the sweep. Earlier on, Thomas Montana was on the mound in an 11-2 victory. Montana tossed a four-hitter.
Austin Kallberg and Ryan Quick both had three hits in the doubleheader for Ely, and Merhar added a bases-clearing double in the opening game, which kicked off action in the inaugural season for Iron Range Baseball, a newly-formed, 12-team league for players 14-and-under.
Ely travels to Gilbert Wednesday to take on Eveleth-Gilbert.
VFW team goes 2-2 in Taste of Ely Classic
Even a bit shorthanded, Ely managed a split over four games in a season-opening home VFW tournament.
Ely's VFW team beat Greenway 10-2 and rallied past Grand Rapids Orange 9-8 during the Taste of Ely Classic, held Saturday and Sunday at Veterans Memorial Field. Post 2717 also dropped a 5-1 decision to Perham and lost 13-2 to Ordean (Duluth East) A during the six-team event.
Pat Huisman, a starter on Ely's high school team, sat out most of the weekend but came off the bench Sunday against Grand Rapids to deliver a two-run single in the bottom of the seventh, plating the tying and winning runs.
Another high school starter, Spencer Gaulke, did not play in the tournament except for his complete-game pitching performance in Saturday's victory over Greenway.
Sophomores Kyle Durbin and Andy Krunkkala also had big weekends at the plate for Ely, which cancelled its scheduled Tuesday twinbill with Hibbing. Post 2717 is set to return to action Saturday with games against Aitkin and Hibbing in the Grand Rapids Tournament.
Perham and Ordean A both went 4-0 in the Taste of Ely Classic and shared championship honors.
Ely's VFW team beat Greenway 10-2 and rallied past Grand Rapids Orange 9-8 during the Taste of Ely Classic, held Saturday and Sunday at Veterans Memorial Field. Post 2717 also dropped a 5-1 decision to Perham and lost 13-2 to Ordean (Duluth East) A during the six-team event.
Pat Huisman, a starter on Ely's high school team, sat out most of the weekend but came off the bench Sunday against Grand Rapids to deliver a two-run single in the bottom of the seventh, plating the tying and winning runs.
Another high school starter, Spencer Gaulke, did not play in the tournament except for his complete-game pitching performance in Saturday's victory over Greenway.
Sophomores Kyle Durbin and Andy Krunkkala also had big weekends at the plate for Ely, which cancelled its scheduled Tuesday twinbill with Hibbing. Post 2717 is set to return to action Saturday with games against Aitkin and Hibbing in the Grand Rapids Tournament.
Perham and Ordean A both went 4-0 in the Taste of Ely Classic and shared championship honors.
With Wolves reaching state tourney, start of Legion season delayed
Ely's American Legion baseball season is on hold for a week, but that's just fine to players, coaches and local baseball fans.
The delay is because of the high school baseball team's ongoing tournament run, which included a victory in last Friday's Section 7A title tilt and a berth in the Class A state tournament, which starts Thursday at Chaska.
Senior Will Gustafson's four-hit shutout gave the Wolves a 2-0 win over South Ridge and the program's second 7A crown in three years. Ely (21-2) meets unbeaten and second-seeded New York Mills in a 5:30 p.m. state quarterfinal on Thursday. The game can be heard on WELY FM 94.5 and wely.com.
Gustafson, who won five games on the mound in 2013 for Ely's Legion team, is one of several returning starters for Post 248.
Legion games this week with Hibbing and Two Harbors have been scrapped and the 2014 season opener is tentatively set for Monday, June 16, at Esko. Later that week, Ely will host the nine-team DQ Grill and Chill Classic.
The delay is because of the high school baseball team's ongoing tournament run, which included a victory in last Friday's Section 7A title tilt and a berth in the Class A state tournament, which starts Thursday at Chaska.
Senior Will Gustafson's four-hit shutout gave the Wolves a 2-0 win over South Ridge and the program's second 7A crown in three years. Ely (21-2) meets unbeaten and second-seeded New York Mills in a 5:30 p.m. state quarterfinal on Thursday. The game can be heard on WELY FM 94.5 and wely.com.
Gustafson, who won five games on the mound in 2013 for Ely's Legion team, is one of several returning starters for Post 248.
Legion games this week with Hibbing and Two Harbors have been scrapped and the 2014 season opener is tentatively set for Monday, June 16, at Esko. Later that week, Ely will host the nine-team DQ Grill and Chill Classic.
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Taste of Ely VFW Classic opens summer season
While Ely's high school baseball team remains alive in the Section 7A playoffs, the summer baseball season in Ely is also slated to begin with a six-team VFW tournament: The Taste of Ely Classic.
Action begins at 9:30 a.m. Saturday June 7 and continues through the weekend at Veterans Memorial Field, with three games also scheduled at Legion Field in Soudan.
Host Ely, which returns several starters from a 2013 team that won the North Subdistrict regular season title and participated in the state tournament as the host, is joined by 2013 state tournament entrant Perham, Ordean (Duluth East), Greenway, Virginia and Grand Rapids Orange.
The full tournament schedule is below.
Taste of Ely VFW Classic
Saturday June 7 - at Ely
9:30 a.m. Greenway vs. Virginia
12 noon Ely vs. Greenway
2:30 p.m. Grand Rapids Orange vs Perham
5:00 p.m. Ordean vs. Grand Rapids Orange
7:30 p.m. Ely vs. Perham
Saturday June 7 - at Soudan
1:30 p.m. Ordean vs. Virginia
Sunday June 8 - at Ely
10 a.m. Perham vs. Greenway
12:15 p.m. Virginia vs. Grand Rapids Orange
2:30 p.m. Ely vs. Grand Rapids Orange
4:45 p.m. Ely vs. Ordean
Sunday June 8 - at Soudan
1:00 p.m. Greenway vs. Ordean
3:30 p.m. Perham vs. Virginia
Action begins at 9:30 a.m. Saturday June 7 and continues through the weekend at Veterans Memorial Field, with three games also scheduled at Legion Field in Soudan.
Host Ely, which returns several starters from a 2013 team that won the North Subdistrict regular season title and participated in the state tournament as the host, is joined by 2013 state tournament entrant Perham, Ordean (Duluth East), Greenway, Virginia and Grand Rapids Orange.
The full tournament schedule is below.
Taste of Ely VFW Classic
Saturday June 7 - at Ely
9:30 a.m. Greenway vs. Virginia
12 noon Ely vs. Greenway
2:30 p.m. Grand Rapids Orange vs Perham
5:00 p.m. Ordean vs. Grand Rapids Orange
7:30 p.m. Ely vs. Perham
Saturday June 7 - at Soudan
1:30 p.m. Ordean vs. Virginia
Sunday June 8 - at Ely
10 a.m. Perham vs. Greenway
12:15 p.m. Virginia vs. Grand Rapids Orange
2:30 p.m. Ely vs. Grand Rapids Orange
4:45 p.m. Ely vs. Ordean
Sunday June 8 - at Soudan
1:00 p.m. Greenway vs. Ordean
3:30 p.m. Perham vs. Virginia
Friday, May 30, 2014
Junior schedule in place
The formation of a brand-new baseball league for 14-and-under teams includes Ely's Junior team, which is set to open play June 9 with a home doubleheader.
Iron Range Baseball formed May 18 and includes 12 teams across the region, split into two divisions. Ely joins Eveleth-Gilbert, Mesabi East, International Falls and two Virginia teams in the IRB East Division, while IRB West includes two Grand Rapids teams, two in Hibbing and Greenway East (Pengilly) and Greenway West (Bovey).
The schedule includes 15 dates and an end-of-the-year tournament, slated for Aug. 1-3 at Hibbing.
Ely's schedule is listed below
Iron Range Baseball formed May 18 and includes 12 teams across the region, split into two divisions. Ely joins Eveleth-Gilbert, Mesabi East, International Falls and two Virginia teams in the IRB East Division, while IRB West includes two Grand Rapids teams, two in Hibbing and Greenway East (Pengilly) and Greenway West (Bovey).
The schedule includes 15 dates and an end-of-the-year tournament, slated for Aug. 1-3 at Hibbing.
Ely's schedule is listed below
2014 Ely Junior Baseball Schedule
Schedule as of 5/29/14 (subject to change)
* Monday/Wednesday games will either be one 7-inning
game, or a doubleheader with two 5-inning games, subject
to agreement of participating teams
Date Opponent Time
Monday June 9 Mesabi East (2) 6 p.m.
Wednesday June 11 vs. Eveleth-Gilbert (at Gilbert) 6 p.m.
Monday June 16 at Virginia I 6 p.m.
Wednesday June 18 Hibbing 6 p.m.
Thursday June 19 at Grand Marais (2, tentative) 4 p.m.
Monday June 23 Int. Falls (2/5s) 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday June 25 at Virginia II 6 p.m.
Monday June 30 at Greenway West (Bovey) 6 p.m.
Wednesday July 2 at Mesabi East 6 p.m.
Monday July 7 Eveleth-Gilbert 6 p.m.
Wednesday July 9 Grand Marais 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday July 9 Virginia 7:30 p.m.
Monday July 14 Greenway East (Pengily) 6 p.m.
Wednesday July 16 at Int. Falls (2) 5 p.m.
Monday July 21 Virginia II 6 p.m.
Wednesday July 23 at Grand Rapids Black TBA
Monday July 28 at Mesabi East 6 p.m..
Friday Aug. 1 League Tournament - Hibbing
Saturday Aug. 2 League Tournament - Hibbing
Sunday Aug. 3 League Tournament - Hibbing
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Ely VFW Schedule: Home tourney kicks off season
Ely's VFW baseball schedule is all but complete, with the annual Taste of Ely Classic marking the start of the summer season at Veterans Memorial Field.
Post 2717 will host five other teams - including 2013 state tournament entrant Perham - in a two-day event slated for June 7-8.
Ely will play four games over the weekend, and the tournament is one of the highlights of a docket that also includes a trip to the Grand Rapids tournament as well as the July 5-6 Ely Auto Services VFW Showcase.
As part of the Ely Baseball Days celebration, Post 2717 is tentatively slated to host Kenyon on Thursday July 10. Ely also has an automatic bid in the Eighth District Playoffs, which start July 26 in Ely.
The current schedule is below, and still subject to change.
Post 2717 will host five other teams - including 2013 state tournament entrant Perham - in a two-day event slated for June 7-8.
Ely will play four games over the weekend, and the tournament is one of the highlights of a docket that also includes a trip to the Grand Rapids tournament as well as the July 5-6 Ely Auto Services VFW Showcase.
As part of the Ely Baseball Days celebration, Post 2717 is tentatively slated to host Kenyon on Thursday July 10. Ely also has an automatic bid in the Eighth District Playoffs, which start July 26 in Ely.
The current schedule is below, and still subject to change.
2014 Ely VFW Baseball Schedule
as of May 18, 2014
Date Opponent Time
Saturday June 7 Greenway 12 noon
Saturday June 7 Perham 7:30 p.m.
Sunday June 8 Grand Rapids Orange 2:15 p.m.
Sunday June 8 Ordean 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday June 10 Hibbing (2) 2 p.m.
Saturday June 14 at Grand Rapids Tourney (2)
Sunday June 15 at Grand Rapids Tourney (2)
Tuesday June 17 Virginia (2) 5 p.m.
Wednesday June 18 at Greenway (2) 3 p.m.
Tuesday June 24 at Deer River 3 p.m.
Tuesday July 1 Greenway (2) 11 a.m.
Wednesday July 2 at Virginia (2) 3 p.m.
Saturday July 5 Ely Auto Services Showcase 2:30 p.m.
Saturday July 5 Ely Auto Services Showcase 7:30 p.m.
Sunday July 6 Ely Auto Services Showcase 2:15 p.m.
Sunday July 6 Ely Auto Services Showcase 4:30 p.m.
Monday July 7 at Int. Falls (2) 4 p.m.
Thursday July 10 Kenyon 7 p.m.
Wednesday July 16 Deer River 5 p.m.
Saturday July 19 Subdistrict Tournament - Hibbing
Sunday July 20 Subdistrict Tournament - Hibbing
Saturday July 26 District Tournament - Ely
Sunday July 27 District Tournament - Ely
Monday July 28 District Tournament - Ely
Tuesday July 29 District Tournament - Ely
Thursday Aug. 7 State Tournament - Brainerd
Friday Aug. 8 State Tournament - Brainerd
Saturday Aug. 9 State Tournament - Brainerd
Sunday Aug. 10 State Tournament- Brainerd
Monday, May 19, 2014
2014 Schedule Released
Ely's 2014 American Legion baseball schedule is set, with the season-opener tentatively slated for June 10, when Post 248 will take on Hibbing.
The contest at Veterans Memorial Field kicks off a 29-game regular season slate for Ely, including a whopping 18 home contests.
Included on the home docket are Post 248's two annual regular season tournaments - the 27th annual DQ Grill and Chill Classic (June 20-22) and the 13th annual Sir G's Midsummer Classic (July 11-13). Ely will also host the Eighth District Playoffs, which begin July 22 and culminate in the July 27 title game.
Ely's road action this year includes the annual trip south, with five games in a three-day span (June 26-28) at Bird Island, Jordan and Kenyon-Wanamingo.
Post 248 is gunning for its 12th state tournament berth in 17 years, but must replace five graduated seniors from a team that won 24 games last summer and finished as the Eighth District Division II runner-up.
2014 Ely American Legion Baseball Schedule
The contest at Veterans Memorial Field kicks off a 29-game regular season slate for Ely, including a whopping 18 home contests.
Included on the home docket are Post 248's two annual regular season tournaments - the 27th annual DQ Grill and Chill Classic (June 20-22) and the 13th annual Sir G's Midsummer Classic (July 11-13). Ely will also host the Eighth District Playoffs, which begin July 22 and culminate in the July 27 title game.
Ely's road action this year includes the annual trip south, with five games in a three-day span (June 26-28) at Bird Island, Jordan and Kenyon-Wanamingo.
Post 248 is gunning for its 12th state tournament berth in 17 years, but must replace five graduated seniors from a team that won 24 games last summer and finished as the Eighth District Division II runner-up.
2014 Ely American Legion Baseball Schedule
Date Opponent Time
Tuesday June 10 Hibbing 7 p.m.
Wednesday June 11 at Two Harbors 6 p.m.
Monday June 16 at Esko 6 p.m.
Wednesday June 18 at Taconite 7 p.m.
Friday June 20 DQ Classic 8 p.m.
Saturday June 21 DQ Classic 1 p.m.
Saturday June 21 DQ Classic 7:45 p.m.
Sunday June 22 DQ Classic 5 p.m.
Tuesday June 24 at Deer River 6 p.m.
Thursday June 26 at BOLD (at Bird Island) 6 p.m.
Thursday June 26 vs. Sacred Heart (at Bird Island) 8 p.m.
Friday June 27 at Jordan 5 p.m.
Saturday June 28 at Kenyon (2) 10:30 a.m.
Monday June 30 Brookston 7 p.m.
Tuesday July 1 Moose Lake (2) 5 p.m.
Wednesday July 2 at Virginia 7 p.m.
Monday July 7 Cook County (2) 1 p.m.
Tuesday July 8 Taconite 7 p.m.
Friday July 11 Sir G's Classic 8 p.m.
Saturday July 12 Sir G's Classic- 1 p.m.
Saturday July 12 Sir G's Classic- 7:45 p.m.
Sunday July 13 Sir G's Classic - 5 p.m.
Wednesday July 16 Deer River 7:30 p.m.
Thursday July 17 at Hibbing 7 p.m.
Friday July 18 Virginia 5 p.m.
Friday July 18 Two Harbors 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday July 22 District Tournament - Ely
Friday July 25 District Tournament - Ely
Saturday July 26 District Tournament - Ely
Sunday July 27 District Tournament - Ely
Friday August 1 State Tournament - Luverne
Saturday August 2 State Tournament - Luverne
Sunday August 3 State Tournament - Luverne
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