Northern Driveline second baseman Buzz Rajala throws to first baseman Emmett Carson during a Twilight Baseball League game against Craig Heinonen Coldwell Banker on Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Stanton, Mich. (Eddie O’Neill/The Daily Mining Gazette)

Editor’s note: This story will run in Monday’s edition of The Daily Mining Gazette.

STANTON — Craig Halonen Coldwell Banker moved to 3-1 on the season with a 4-0 win over Northern Driveline in Twilight League action on Thursday.

It was a simple strategic win as the boys from Coldwell hit the ball, and strong pitching by their ace Brady Turner prevented Northern from doing the same.

“Pitching has been the key to our success over the last few weeks,” noted Coldwell’s player/coach Ross Kinnunen. “You are not going to see a lot of wins in the Twilight League with just four runs, but Brady was able to throw a gem.”

Turner went all seven innings on the mound allowing just one hit with six strikeouts and just two base on balls. Northern’s only hit came in the second off the bat of Trevor Hendrickson.

The two teams were scoreless after two innings. However Coldwell broke the silence in the third with a three-run rally. Turner got on base to start things off with a walk off of Northern’s starter Trevor Hendrickson. Kinnunen would then reach first on a fielder’s choice setting the stage for Coldwell’s cleanup man Carson Turner who did his job as he connected on a fast ball which he launched over the right-center field fence for the team’s first homer of the year.

“That was a big one,” said Kinnunen. “Carson drilled that one well into the bushes.”

Still in that inning, Eric Anderson got on board with a base hit of his own and crossed the plate on an Owen Kariniemi RBI double.

The game would stay at 3-0 until the sixth. In that frame, Coldwell’s Kyle Kilpela started things off with a double and would cross home on a Kinnunen stroke up the middle to seal the deal at 4-0.

Northern is still looking for their first win in their inaugural Twilight season.

“We seem to be right there, we just need to put it all together,” said their player/coach Evan Larson.

“We just have to keep working on the fundamentals of hitting and fewer errors in the field.”

Tuesday

REL Inc.-Mohawk Technologies 6, Houghton Building Supply-Stanton 4

HANCOCK — REL Inc.-Mohawk Technologies overcame a 4-0 deficit to beat Houghton Building Supply Stanton 6-4 at Driving Park.

REL scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth before setting Stanton down in order the next half-inning. Brian Halonen hit a two RBI-single with one out, and then scored on a single by Alan Jurmu.

Stanton built an early lead by manufacturing runs. Connor Hannon reached base in the top of the first on a walk, stole second and later scored on a passed ball. A single by Josh Koskela was followed with a walk by Eli Luoma. Gaborik Carlson hit an RBI single and scored on a fielder’s choice.

Stanton never got a runner to third base after the second inning.

HSB-Stanton 130 000 0 — 4 3 1

REL Inc.-MT 001 203 x — 6 4 0

Garnet Garage 8, Northern Driveline 4

STANTON — Garnet Garage exploded with a five-run sixth en route to the 8-4 win against Northern Driveline.

Garnet Garage’s sixth was set up by a walk and single. A strikeout, error and base hit followed. Justin Norkol hit a RBI double.

Garnet Garage trailed 4-0 after two innings. Northern Driveline scored twice in the first thanks to a sacrifice fly and an unearned run.

Carter Crouch and Chris Saari pitched for Garnet Garage. Saari struck out eight of 17 batters faced in relief.

Garnet Garage 002 015 0 — 8 9 3

Northern Driveline 220 000 0 — 4 2 2