Softball team opens with a win

The Ely Timberwolves gave Jeff MacKenzie a victory in his debut as the program’s new head coach.

Erasing 4-2 and 6-4 deficits, the Wolves rallied with seven runs in the final two frames and pulled out a 9-6 high school softball victory over host Mesabi East in an April 11 Iron Range Conference contest.

Back-to-back hits by winning pitcher Zoe MacKenzie and Clare Thomas were pivotal in a five-run seventh inning, and Ella Perish added a run-scoring hit as well in the frame as Ely opened the season with a win.

Zoe MacKenzie, the daughter of the new head coach, set down the Giants in the seventh after issuing two walks.

The junior pitcher went the distance, scattering six hits and recording four strikeouts.

Zoe MacKenzie’s solo home run got the Wolves on the board in the top of the fourth inning and tied the game at one.

The Giants scratched out a run in the bottom of the frame to take a 2-1 lead, but Ely countered in the fifth when Perish doubled and scored on a wild pitch.

The Giants scored twice with two outs in the fifth to grab the lead and Ely responded right back in the top of the sixth.

Rylee Larsen singled to open the frame and Peyton Huntington reached base on a walk. Both Zoe MacKenzie and Perish added hits in the inning and the Wolves knotted things up at four.

The Giants regained the lead in the bottom of the sixth, setting the stage for the seventh and Ely’s big rally.

Zoe MacKenzie finished three-for-four with two runs scored, while Perish also went three-for-four.

Huntington scored twice and Thomas doubled and scored a run. Julia Zgonc also singled and scored one, as did Larsen.

The Wolves’ Tuesday afternoon matchup at Mt. Iron-Buhl was a casualty of the weather, and a busy week is ahead.

Ely makes up a contest at Greenway Monday, with a road trip to Deer River to follow the next day.

Ely is set to host Chisholm April 24, and following an April 25 date at Two Harbors, the Wolves will host Cook County at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 26.