Chatfield ends Ely win streak in Sir G's opener

An aggressive Chatfield team rode a strong start and the pitching of Tristin Aguiar to an 8-3 victory over Ely in opening round action Friday night in the Sir G's Midsummer Classic.

Chatfield scored single runs in the first and second frames, including one on a solo homer by Ben Ihrke, and broke the game open with a four-run third inning to end Ely's win streak at four.

Aguiar appeared to get stronger as the game progressed, finishing with a complete-game seven-hitter and eight strikeouts.

Trailing 6-1, Ely scored twice in the third inning and put runners at the corners, but Aguiar escaped further trouble and only allowed one hit the rest of the way.

Chatfield, meanwhile, got to Ely starter Elliot Omerza early and scored four runs on four hits in the third. The damage would have been even more severe if not for a diving stop by third baseman Tayler Banks, which resulted in a double play.

Nick Maki had three hits for the winners while Spencer Mandt roped two doubles.

Ely's Jeff Willis had three hits and Huisman added two.

Other Friday scores in the Sir G's Classic included:
• Duluth Lakeview 13, Hermantown 5;
• Virginia 4, Int. Falls 2;
• Taconite 14, Hermantown 6;
• Stephen-Argyle 8, Proctor 1;
• Cloquet 6, Int. Falls 5;
• Duluth Lakeview 17, Taconite 5.

Action continues Saturday with eight more games, including six in Ely and two at Soudan. Ely meets Hermantown at 1 p.m. and Taconite at 7:45.