ELY — The Ely Timberwolves shook off an early-season skid in a big way Friday, piling up runs and hits in a pair of dominant wins during a three-team triangular at Veterans Memorial Field.
After Silver Bay opened the day with a 15-10 win over Cook County, the Mariners stepped aside as the Wolves took over the spotlight, rolling past Cook County 11-1 in five innings before erupting for a 25-2 rout of the Mariners.
In the opener against Cook County, Hunter Halbakken delivered a performance that left little doubt who was in control. The right-hander tossed a five-inning no-hitter, striking out nine and walking two. The Vikings’ only run came in the fifth, manufactured through a walk, a stolen base, and a passed ball.
Ely wasted no time backing him up. Grant Chittum put the Timberwolves on the board in the first inning with a three-run home run, setting the tone for the afternoon. Chittum finished with two hits and four RBIs, while Owen Mariolt, Sean Merriman, and Stig Majerus each added two hits.
If the first game was decisive, the second was a full-blown avalanche.
Ely racked up 19 hits and 25 runs against Silver Bay, turning the contest into a steady procession around the bases. Owen Marolt led the charge with four hits and four runs scored, and also picked up the win on the mound, allowing three hits over four innings while striking out five.
Drew Johnson added three hits, three runs scored, and four RBIs, while Kooper Dostert broke through with his first two varsity hits and drove in four runs. Tyde Brecke matched that production with two hits and four RBIs. Parker Niskala, Merriman, and Chittum each chipped in two hits as the Timberwolves kept the pressure on from start to finish.
“It felt good to get back into the win column after our 0-3 start,” Head Coach Frank Ivancich said. “We knew our first weekend was going to be against some good teams, and I thought that we certainly cleaned up a few things and that showed up Friday.”
Ivancich pointed to progress on the mound as a key factor in the turnaround.
“We hope to continue to get better and be more consistent,” he said. “Hunter and Owen certainly looked sharper on the mound for us Friday. Their continued improvement is key for us.”
With the offense finding its rhythm and pitching stabilizing, Ivancich believes the Timberwolves have the pieces to make noise as the season unfolds.
“If we continue to improve defensively, stay healthy, and hit the way we have started in our five games, we will be a team to contend with in the end,” Ivancich said.