Houghton Building Supply-Stanton’s Eli Luoma flips the ball to first base during a Twilight Baseball League game against Garnet Garage on Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, in Houghton, Mich. (Eddie O’Neill/The Daily Mining Gazette)

HOUGHTON — What a difference a month makes.

In a Twilight Baseball League game in mid-July, Garnet Garage smacked it to Houghton Building Supply-Stanton with a whopping 21-6 at the Houghton High School baseball diamond.

On Monday, the tables were turned as HBS gave a whipping right back to Garnet with a 22-6 tilt in their favor.

The game included HBS-Stanton having back-to-back eight-run innings in the second and the third.

In the second, starting pitcher Eli Louma stepped up to the plate with Kade Farrell on third, Connor Hannon on second and Daron Durocher on first. He hit into a fielder’s choice and two runs scored. Then came a parade of singles from Josh Koskela, Erik Nettel, Dax Durocher and Trent Keteri. Farrell and Hannon both got on base again. When the hit parade was over it was an 11- 2 tilt after two.

“We hit the ball well,” said HBS-Stanton player-manager Daron Durocher. “We are finally able to put it together.”

Houghton Building Supply’s third inning looked very similar. This time it was Nettle who began bringing runs in. After Louma was hit by a pitch and Koskela walked, the first baseman smacked a line drive to right field for two RBIs. He would do it again eight batters later.

By this time Garnet was on their third pitcher. Dean Jurmu started the game. He was replaced by Carter Crouch and then came right-hander Gideon Scott. Scott struggled to find the plate and walked in two runners in the third. After three inning HBS led 19-5.

Meanwhile Louma threw strikes and had some seasoned players backing him up.

“I like to call guys like Burr, Trent, Josh and myself some of the more experienced members on our team and it makes a difference,” Daron said. “We provide a calm, steady approach. We may not be the fastest guys on the team but we are productive. We know the ins and outs of the game, and it makes it easier to mix in some of the younger guys on the team.”

If there was one bright star for Garnet in Monday’s game it came off the bat of catcher Mike Sari in the third inning. He blasted a home run over the right-center fence and touched them all.

The game ended after five innings due to the 10-run mercy rule.

Losing manager Joe Romano of Garnet summed it up in five words.

“The better team won tonight,” he said.

For HBS-Stanton, Monday’s big bats and hit production was a great way to start the final week of Twilight League’s regular season play before this weekend’s league tournament.

“This win gives us a some momentum headed into the playoffs,” Durocher said.

HBS-Stanton 388 50 — 22

Garnet Garage 113 03 — 6