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After a season on the road, the Vermilion Ironhawks finally get to play in Ely.
The community college softball team was set for a four-game weekend homestand, weather and field conditions permitting, as of press time.
Vermilion was slated to take on division rival Mesabi on Friday, while Northland is set for two games at the high school softball field on Saturday - starting at noon.
Despite a season spent entirely on the road and a lack of overall experience, the Ironhawks remain in contention for a playoff berth as the regular season heads into its home stretch.
Vermilion is 2- 6 in Northern Division games and 2-13 overall going into the weekend, and the Ironhawks are locked in a battle with Mesabi and Northland for two likely spots in the postseason.
League-leading Central Lakes roughed up Vermilion last weekend, cruising 22-0 and 9-1 in a doubleheader at Brainerd.
Two Raiders pitchers held the Ironhawks without a hit and the hosts put the game away with a 16-run outburst in the bottom of the second. Central Lakes racked up 17 hits against Vermilion pitchers Kyla Berger and Josie Anderson, and the Raiders’ Emma Simon had two hits including a home run.
Vermilion was much more competitive in the second game as Anderson scattered eight hits and only three earned runs. She fanned two Central Lakes batters.
Hannah Simchak scored the only Vermilion run while Anderson, Avery Thiel, Makenzie Drache, Tatiana Whiting and Simchak had hits.
