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It took some time for the Ely Timberwolves to shake off the rust on Wednesday.
Playing for the first time in 13 days, the high school baseball team fell behind Mt. Iron-Buhl early and struggled to get its offense revved up.
But the Timberwolves did just enough at the plate and were aided in part by Mt. Iron-Buhl’s defense, and Ely pitchers Drew Marolt and Caid Chittum did the rest.
The righthanders combined to hold the Rangers in check as the Wolves prevailed 4-1 at Veterans Memorial Field.
Marolt won his third decision of the spring, working six innings, allowing four hits and recording 10 strikeouts.
Chittum came on for a one-two-three seventh and punched out two Rangers as the Wolves improved to 5-3 for the spring.
MIB nicked Marolt for a run in the top of the first, but the senior recovered with back-to-back strikeouts to escape further damage.
The Rangers didn’t threaten the rest of the way and Ely pulled ahead in the bottom of the fourth.
With the bases loaded and two outs, sophomore Hunter Halbakken beat out a ground ball to short for an infield hit, and courtesy runner Tyde Brecke scored all the way from second base to put the Wolves in front to stay.
In the fifth, Ely loaded the bases and an error at third allowed two insurance runs to score.
Both Marolt and Chittum doubled and scored runs for the Wolves, while sophomore Drew Johnson had two hits including a double and a run scored.
The Wolves took on Chisholm Thursday after deadline and travel to Blackduck Saturday for two games in the Blackduck Tournament.
• Ely hosts its annual Veterans Memorial Showcase event the weekend of May 1718, with the Wolves meeting Class AA Warroad (noon) and Class A contender Cherry (7:30 p.m.) Friday.
The Wolves wrap up with matchups on Saturday, May 18, against both Cook County (4:30 p.m.) and International Falls (7 p.m.).
• Playoff action begins at home sites on Tuesday, May 28.
