Northern Michigan Land Broker pitcher Kaydence Kilpela throws against Superior National Bank during Copper Country Fastpitch League action Monday, June 27, 2022, at the Boneyard in Lake Linden, Mich. (Eddie O’Neill/The Daily Mining Gazette)

LAKE LINDEN — Despite a strong three-run first inning, Northern Michigan Land Brokers could not keep up with the bats of Superior National Bank at the Boneyard on Monday night as they fell 16-6 in a shortened five-inning “mercy” game.

Superior National Bank turned a 3-0 deficit into a 6-5 lead after two and never looked back as they tallied an impressive eight-run fourth inning.

In that frame, SNB (2-1) went through the lineup almost twice, and everyone except one in the lineup crossed home plate.

“We put the ball in play and were able to convert our hits into runs,” said SNB’s player-manager Rosalee Kangas.

Brielle Anderson had three singles on the night for SNB. Teammates Larissa Anderson and Janie Berg had two singles, and Elisa Isaacson had a double.

“We also had strong pitching,” Kangas added.

Larissa Anderson was the winning pitcher with Elisa Isaacson coming in to relieve her. Kaydence Kilpela took the loss for NMLB.

Despite the loss, NMLB’s player-manager Mary Torola said her team is improving.

“We are a new group of women who wanted to start playing again. We have some ladies on our team who have never played (softball) before, she noted. “Tonight, was one of our better games as we communicated well and stepped up our batting at the plate. It was a good effort by all.”

SNB 060 81 – 16

NMLB 320 01 – 6

JB’s Sales and Service 7, Tervo Agency 4

JB’s Sales and Service downed Tervo Agency by a score of 7-4 on Monday in Houghton. Stella Soumis earned the win with relief from Mackenzie Ekdahl. Mel Baker took the loss for Tervo.

JB’s leadoff batter, Brynn Arko started the game off with a single and scored later the first inning to give JB’s an early lead. The score remained 1-0 until Tervo tied it in the top of the fourth inning. 

Tervo then added three more runs in the top of the fifth  inning, making it 4-1. But their lead was a short one, as JB’s answered with four runs in the bottom of the fifth making it a 5-4 game in favor of JB’s.  

JB’s added two more runs in the sixth inning and kept the Tervo bats silent as they ended with the victory. 

Crush/Diamond House International/Loading Zone 8, REL, Inc. 6

Crush defeated REL, Inc. on Monday night 8-6 at the Boneyard. Olivia Shank was the winning pitcher with Sarah Audette backing her up in relief.

At the plate for Crush, Emily Jokela had two singles, a double and an inside-the-park home run. Teammate Laura Lyons produced two singles and a double.

Swinging big bats for REL were Emily Storm with two singles and Ashley Lehto with three singles.