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Sandberg, Halbakken pitch Wolves into winners’ bracket of 7A field
The Ely Timberwolves pitching and one big inning put them into the winners’ bracket of the Section 7A high school baseball playoff tournament.
After sophomore Hunter Halbakken tossed a one-hitter in the Wolves’ 10-0 opening round victory over North Woods, senior Brecken Sandberg took the hill and got the win as Ely prevailed over third-seeded Silver Bay 7-4.
A seven-run first inning provided all the offense the sixth-seeded Wolves would need Tuesday on the North Shore, and Sandberg pitched into the fifth before giving way to Halbakken, who recorded a seven-out save.
Ely, now 11-10, moved on to face defending 7A champion South Ridge, at South Ridge, in winners’ bracket play completed after deadline Thursday.
The 7A playoffs continue with the final four teams squaring off Tuesday at Mesabi East, and the Wolves are trying to reach the final four for a third consecutive season.
Ely has won five of its last six games and its pitching staff has led the way.
Sandberg also had a no-hitter with 11 strikeouts in a May 24, 15-0 home win to Two Harbors to close out the regular season.
The Wolves drew the sixth seed in 7A and their meeting with number-11 North Woods was close for awhile in Tuesday’s opening game at Silver Bay.
Ely clung to a 2-0 lead until the bottom of the fifth, when the offense exploded for eight runs.
Junior catcher Ben Leeson had two hits and two runs batted in, including a run-scoring hit that finished the game in the bottom of the fifth.
Junior shortstop Caid Chittum added three hits and freshman Stig Majerus belted a two-run single..
That was plenty of support for Halbakken, who gained another win, recorded the one-hit shutout, and walked only one while fanning six Grizzlies.
Ely quickly pounced against Silver Bay with Chittum providing a spark early by stealing third base and scoring on an overthrow.
The Wolves sent 11 batters to the plate in the top of the first, chasing losing pitcher Brendan Hoff and scoring seven times.
Chittum helped close out the rally wiht a tow-run single and Sandberg laid down a successful squeeze bunt.
En route to his second straight pitching win, Sandberg worked into and out of trouble.
He left because of the pitch count limit in the top of the fifth and allowed five hits with four strikeouts.
Halbakken yielded only one hit in two-and-one-third innings.
Senior Elliot Levens added two hits at the plate for the Wolves, who are looking to end a long losing streak against South Ridge.
The Wolves last beat the Panthers in the 2019 section playoffs.
