ELY— The Wolves softball squad combined for 16 hits here on Tuesday as Ely routed the Warriors 15-1. “We jumped out to an early big lead scoring nine in the first,” said Ely Head Coach Cory Lassi. “We kept the pressure on them offensively, it was a nice way to bounce back after a couple of close losses last week.”
Zoe MacKenzie notched the win, allowing no earned runs while scattering five hits and striking out seven Deer River batters. “I thought we played great defense behind Zoe,” said Lassi.
Freshman Peyton Huntington had a huge day at the plate, going 3-4, including a triple, while scoring twice and driving in two runs. Fellow freshman Grace Flynn went 2-2, including a double, while notching three RBIs and scoring twice. Junior Clare Thomas went 2-3, scoring once and notching two RBIs, while fellow junior Maija Mattson went 2-2, with an RBI and two runs scored. Sophomore Ella Perish went 2-4 with two RBIs and a run scored.
The Wolves ran into trouble late in the game against Cherry last Thursday.
“We were leading most of the game, but had a bad fifth inning where we gave up six runs,” said Lassi. “We fought back to take a three-run lead going into the seventh. We were up one when Cherry had runners on second and third with two outs. They came up with a clutch base hit to walk off with the win.”
Senior Hannah Penke had a strong offensive outing for Ely, going 3-4, including a triple, scoring three times and notching an RBI. Thomas went 3-4 as well, scoring twice and driving in two runs. MacKenzie went 2-3, scoring once and driving in two runs. Peyton and Makenzi Huntington each notched two hits.
MacKenzie took the loss from the mound, allowing 13 earned runs on 16 hits. She fanned six Cherry batters in the effort.
The Wolves head to Chisholm on Thursday and are back home on Friday to host Two Harbors. They’ll be at North Woods on Monday to take on the Grizzlies.