Eddie O’Neill/Daily Mining Gazette Top: Superior National Bank’s Ted Heinonen takes a big swing at a pitch during a game against J. Peltier Construction Thursday.

SOUTH RANGE — J. Peltier Construction came back from a first inning three-run deficit to pull off a 9-5 win over Superior National Bank (SNB) in Portage Lake Little League Majors playoff semifinal action on Thursday. With the win, they will face Sayen’s Auto in the championship game on Saturday.

Peltier went with their ace pitcher Ethan Hainault who had a wild first inning as he threw 40 pitches. As per the rule book, he is only allowed 85 pitches per game. He struggled with control as he walked several batters and gave up several hits. Among the big hits for SNB was a two-run RBI double by Anders Rautiola that knocked in Andrew Kilpela and Brady Dennis.

After a mound visit from his manager, Jesse Kentala, he settled down and found his groove and threw three more strong innings.

“I told him to follow through and keep his eye on the catcher’s glove,” said Kentala.

He did just as his coach instructed as Hainault ended up striking out the next three batters to end the inning.

Those three runs were all SNB could muster until the fifth and sixth innings when they were able to add a fourth and fifth run. However, the Peltier bats came alive in the third and fourth innings as they put seven runs on the scoreboard.

In the third, Todd Kilpela kicked off the rally with a single to left. Hainault helped his own cause with a double. Latham Salmi followed with a line-drive single to center from an RBI. Caleb Kentala and Conner Laila also had singles to make it a 4-3 game after three.

In the fourth, Kilpela drilled a triple down the left field line. Hainault hit another double and Salmi and Liam Tourtillot with back-to-back singles to make the score 8-3.

“I cannot say enough about Ethan. Not only did he find his groove on the mound after a rough start but bounced back and led the charge at the plate,” said coach Kentala.

Certainly a highlight for SNB was a solo home-run shot over the fence by their relief pitcher Rautiola in the fifth. It cleared the SNB bench as he teammates mobbed him at home plate.

Superior National Bank ended the season at 10-5.

“It has been a great season,” said SNB’s manager Devin Isaacson. “The boys have played really well all season and we just lost a close one here today.”

Kentala and his crew are ready for Saturday.

“We are excited to play,” he said. “It should be a good match.”

The championship game is set for 2 p.m. on Saturday at Veterans Field in South Range.