Tervo Agency’s Jill Keskimaki hits against Superior Service in the women’s fastpitch playoffs Monday, July 26, 2021, in Chassell, Mich. (Eddie O’Neill/The Daily Mining Gazette)

CHASSELL — Women’s fastpitch softball playoff action got underway Monday night with the Tervo Agency defeating Superior Service 7-5.

Consistent bats were key as Tervo jumped out with a three-run top of the first inning thanks to a bases loaded hit by Jill Keskimaki off of Superior Services pitcher Josie Connors. Superior Services would counter with two runs of their own off of base hits by their catcher Raili Therrian and center fielder Cass Ryannen in their half of the first to make it a 3-2 game.

That is the way it would stand until the top of the third when Tervo would add two more runs with lead-off base hits by Heather Huffmaster and player/coach Danielle Thoune. They would both score on back-to-back singles by Aubrey Zackal and Pam Oakes.

“Our bats came alive tonight as we came here to win,” said Thoune. “We did our best. Mel (Baker) threw strikes and we hit the ball well.”

Superior Services would tack on one more in their bottom of the third and two more in the fourth. In the third, Tori Connors crossed home off a single to left center. Her daughter Josie came in the fourth thanks to an RBI double by Therrian as did Reagan Moyle after she ripped a triple. However the three runs would not be enough as Tervo stayed a run ahead for the remainder of the game to clinch a 7-5 lead.

With the win, Tervo faced Crush Tuesday night at the Boneyard. Crush received a bye in the tournament as they were the number one seed.

With the loss, Superior Services’ season came to an end.

“It was an alright season we only had two wins,” said Superior Service player-manager Raili Therrian. “One of the highlights is that we had three mother-daughter combos on the team and the moms were actually starting to catch fly balls in the outfield.”

Tervo Agency 302 110 0 — 7

Superior Services 201 200 0 — 5

SNB 7, JB’s Sales and Services 6

LAKE LINDEN — Superior National Bank advanced to the finals in the Copper Country Women’s Fastpitch Softball with a 7-6 win over JB’s Sales and Services.

Superior National Bank got off to an early lead in the bottom of the first inning as Kim Aho doubled to get on and was later hit home on a double by Leah Kiilunen. They added a second run in the bottom of the second when Trisha Wesa made it home on a double by Nikki Koski. SNB tacked on four more runs in the bottom of the third to take a six-run lead.

JB’s answered back scoring five runs in the top of the fourth inning off of big hits by Clea Olanketto and Quinn Donnelly. SNB answered by scoring one run in the bottom of the fourth making it 7-5.

In the top of the seventh, JB’s Brynn Arko reached first on a throwing error by Trisha Wesa. Then Grace Brunet hit a ground-rule double over the right-field fence, putting the tying run at second base. Arko reached home on a sacrifice hit by Jada Guilbault, but it wouldn’t be enough as a SNB won by a score of 7 – 6.

Delaney Heinonen was the winning pitcher with relief from Vera Peterson. Stella Soumis took the loss and was relieved by Grace Brunet.