I-Falls scores early, holds on to beat Ely

A rough first inning set the tone Tuesday night for Ely's American Legion baseball team.

Without giving up a hit, Post 248 allowed four first inning runs and host International Falls went on to a 10-6 victory.

Starting pitcher Patrick Huisman walked five batters and beaned two more in the top of the first, and International Falls eventually built an 8-2 lead.

The Broncos needed that cushion, as Ely scored four times in the top of the sixth and put two more runners aboard before winning pitcher Cole Miggins escaped.

Two more runs by the hosts in the bottom of the sixth added insurance, and Ely loaded the bases in the top of the seventh and had the tying runner at the plate.  Jake Eide, the third International Falls pitcher, got Jeff Willis to line out to end both the game and the threat.

Hits in the game were even at nine apiece, and Willis, Huisman and Kyle Durbin had two each for Ely.  Elliot Omerza worked five and one-third innings in relief of Huisman.

Ely returns to action Wednesday night, taking on Deer River at 7:30 p.m. in the second game of a VFW-Legion doubleheader at Veterans Memorial Field.