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While the school year ends in late-May and graduation takes place this year on May 30, high school baseball in Ely tends to run into June.
That’s when the Section 7A champion is decided and that’s when the Wolves want to be playing - as they look to return once again to the 7A Final Four and perhaps beyond.
All-conference honorees Caid Chittum and Ben Leeson, both seniors, are part of a strong nucleus back from a 2024 Wolves team that made it to the Final Four for the 10th time in 13 seasons.
But if the Wolves, who open the season this weekend in southern Minnesota, are to win the program’s first 7A title in eight years, they must figure out a way to top perennial powerhouses South Ridge and Cherry.
Cherry, the preseason number-one team in Class A, made it to the state tournament in 2024 while South Ridge had won the previous four section titles.
Much of the Ely roster, meanwhile, was part of a Junior Legion team that went to the state tournament last summer and the Wolves are looking to climb after going 12-12 a year ago.
“We’re optimistic,” said Ely Head Coach Frank Ivancich. “We’re building off a team that went to the state tournament last summer. We’re kind of excited. We’ve got a group of guys coming back who had a good summer.”
W hile graduation took several starters from the Wolves, including pitchers Brecken Sandberg and Drew Marolt, they have a strong nucleus back.
Chittum, a three-time All-Arrowhead honoree, anchored the Ely defense at shortstop and was also one of 7A’s hottest hitters.
He compiled a sizzling .513 average for the spring, collecting 39 hits in 76 at bats with nine doubles, 21 runs batted in and a .593 on-base percentage. During the summer, he hit over .400 during the Legion season and made the all-tournament team at the Junior Legion state tournament.
Leeson was the Wolves’ starting catcher and threw out numerous runners attempting to steal. He also hit .327 with 12 RBI and had an on-base percentage of .563. He too was part of successful Legion and Junior Legion campaigns.
Two other juniors, Hunter Halbakken and Drew Johnson, also figure prominently into the Wolves’ plans.
Halbakken was also part of the pitching rotation last spring and summer and will likely join Chittum at the top of the Ely rotation. He’ll also play second base.
Johnson can contribute in either the infield and outfield and brings a potent bat to the lineup.
Sophomore Owen Marolt is also back and figures to help both on the mound and in the infield, while junior Jack Davies and sophomore Sean Merriman will patrol the outfield.
Other seniors on the roster include outfielders Bradley Eaton and Jace Huntbatch, while sophomore Tyde Brecke could jump into the lineup after a big summer at the Junior Legion level.
The varsity roster also includes junior Rhett Johnson, sophomores Evan Leeson, Leo McKrahl and Stig Majerus, and freshman Arturo Cameron.
Turnout for the program is strong once again, with 41 players in grades 7-12.
Ely opens up with two top-tier southern Minnesota Class A teams in Kenyon- Wanamingo and Hayfield, and an April 22 home opener is set against North Woods. That kicks off a 10game home slate that also includes the annual Veterans Memorial Showcase, on May 16-17.
“We’re going out of the gym to a couple games against some pretty good teams, but we’ve been here before,” said Ivancich, who has coached the program since 2002.
Ely Timberwolves
Baseball - 2025 Schedule
Apr. 11: at Kenyon-Wanamingo
Apr. 12; at Hayfield, 11 a.m.
Apr. 17: vs. Littlefork-Big
Falls, at Aurora, 1:30 p.m.
Apr. 21: at Silver Bay
Apr. 22: North Woods
Apr. 24: Deer River
Apr. 26: Cook County, 10 a.m.
Apr. 28: South Ridge
May 1: at Mt. Iron-Buhl
May 5: at Mesabi East
May 8: Chisholm
May 10: at Blackduck
Tournament (2)
May 13: Greenway
May 16: Blackduck, 2:30 p.m.
May 16: Cherry, 7:30 pm
May 17: West Marshall, 3 p.m.
May 21: at Rock Ridge
May 22: Int. Falls
May 23: at Two Harbors
Home games in bold
Games at 4:30 p.m. unless noted
Home games in bold Games at 4:30 p.m. unless noted
