CULVER – Costly errors and stranded baserunners proved trouble for Ely as they suffered their first loss of the season on Monday. The Wolves fell 7-4 to South Ridge to drop to 3-1 on the season.

Ely jumped to a 3-0 lead on three hits in the top of the second inning, but the Panthers rallied for three runs of their own in the bottom half of the frame. A lead-off South Ridge home run followed by two costly errors put the Panthers back in the game.

The Wolves took a one-run lead in the fourth on a Tyler Housey single but left the bases loaded to end the inning. The Panthers took advantage of another Ely throwing error to add a run and tie the score 4-4 to end the fourth.

South Ridge took the lead in the fifth, scoring three runs on two hits and another critical Ely error. The Wolves threatened in the sixth but left the bases loaded without scoring. They had two runners on base in the seventh inning, but couldn’t find a way to score.

For the game, Ely left eight runners in scoring position and 11 total base runners stranded for the game.

“This was a tough loss but not the worst thing to happen,” said Ely Head Coach Frank Ivancich. “Three throwing errors really cost us tonight and our inability to come up with a big hit was the difference.”

The Wolves will have plenty of opportunities to get back on track.

“We just didn’t have a very good mental approach at the plate tonight,” added Ivancich. “We need to get tougher mentally to avoid another game like this.”

Trevor Mattson took the loss for the Wolves as he went 4-2/3 innings giving up seven runs on six hits while striking out four and walking two.

In action last Thursday, Ely’s offense made the difference as the team easily outpaced Deer River, 13-6.

The Wolves wasted little time putting runs on the board as they scored two in the second and added four more in the third giving them a 6-0 lead.

Deer River got on the board scoring two runs in the fourth but Ely countered with five of their own, leaving the score 11-2.

The Warriors then jumped on a new Ely pitcher and scored four to cut the lead to five runs.

The Wolves then added a run in the fifth and sixth innings to end the scoring, giving Ely the seven-run win.

Dylan Kienitz threw four innings, allowing just two hits and striking out six. Dalton Schreffler pitched two innings of scoreless relief striking out four, halting any Deer River late game opportunities.

Trevor Mattson led the Wolves with two hits and three RBIs. Gage Merhar and Dalton Schreffler added two hits apiece while Ely had 12 hits for the game.

Ely hosted Chisholm on Wednesday, April 25, in their second game of the season. A fast start by the Wolves gave them a 11-4 victory.

Ely scored five runs in the opening frame and added another in the second to carry a 6-0 lead into the fourth. After holding the Wolves scoreless, the Blue Streaks put three runs on the board to cut the lead in half.

The Wolves put another run across the plate in the fifth followed by two more runs in the sixth and seventh innings. Chisholm added one in the bottom of the seventh to end the game’s scoring.

Ely, now 3-1, has a busy week as they host Greenway on Friday. They host Cook County on Saturday before hitting the road Monday at Silver Bay. They travel to Babbitt on Tuesday to take on Northeast Range. All varsity games start at 4:30 p.m. except the Saturday game with Cook County which gets underway at 10 a.m.