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Going streaking: Luoma leads Superior National Bank to fifth straight victory by topping REL Inc.

Eddie O’Neill/Daily Mining Gazette Members of Superior National Bank-Stanton celebrate Eli Luoma’s (left) home runduring the fourth inning of a game against REL Inc.-Mohawk Technologies Thursday in Stanton.

STANTON — After an 0-3 start, Superior National Bank-Stanton came into Thursday’s matchup with REL Inc.-Mohawk Technologies looking for their fifth win in a row. Behind a strong outing from starting pitcher Eli Luoma on the mound and at the plate, Stanton did just that, down REL Inc., 9-1, at Stanton Field.

“We started off the season rough with just sloppy play and no hitting,” noted Stanton’s player-manager Daron Durocher. “However, when the bats come alive, everyone wants to be a part of it. Good hitting is contagious. It boosts morale.”

Louma started things off by retiring REL Inc. batters with two strikeouts in the top of the first.

In the bottom half, Stanton put three runs on the board thanks to a bases loaded hit up the middle by Eric Nettell. That hit alone was good for two RBIs off of REL Inc.’s starter Grant Johnson.

Things held until the top of the third when REL Inc., would get on the board.

Ross Kinnunen led off the inning with a base hit. Bryce Turner then followed with a line drive to left. Kinnunen then scored on a sacrifice fly by Rory Anderson.

That was all Luoma would allow, as he threw a complete game with four strikeouts with just one walk to his credit.

“I love pitching,” said Luoma. “I love everything about it. Tonight it felt good to be out there on the mound.”

It also felt good for Luoma at the plate as he had two blasts to left center. One hit the fence and the other went over for a two-run home run in the fourth. That was Stanton’s biggest inning as they put six runs on the board.

“Both of them (pitches) were right over the plate and I knew that they were going long when I hit them,” said Luoma.

Durocher pointed out the his three, four and five hitters had all the RBIs. Nettell, the third baseman, had three himself. First baseman Josh Koskela had also three and Luoma helped his own cause with three.

“That’s how you win games,” said Durocher.

Stanton, who is getting hot just in time for the Durocher Tournament in mid-July, moves to 5-3 on the season while REL falls to 2-6.

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