Garnet Garage’s Will Romano bats against REL Inc.-Mohawk Technology during Copper Country Twilight League action on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, in Houghton, Mich. (Eddie O’Neill/The Daily Mining Gazette)

HOUGHTON — Garnet Garage came out on top 7-5 against REL Inc.-Mohawk Technology on opening night Tuesday for the Copper Country Twilight League and Garnet Garage proved to be the brightest star in the Keweenaw sky.

Down 5-1 to REL Inc.-MT going into the sixth inning, Garnet mustered a six-run rally to clinch the win.

“The bats came around when they needed to and led to a win,” said Garnet player-coach Kevin Bostwick. “I am very happy about that.”

After a scoreless first, REL Inc.-MT got on the scoreboard in the top of the second. It was then that Brady Turner and Jed Pietila opened with back-to-back singles and Brandon Pietila walked to load the bases for catcher Travis Pietila. He hit into a fielder’s choice, and Turner crossed home. A walk issued by Garnet’s starter Coy Budweg to Rory Anderson would allow Jed Pietila to cross home as well.

A Mike Saari double in the third inning brought in Bostwick for Garnet to make it a 2-1 REL Inc.-MT lead after three.

REL Inc.-MT wasn’t about to slow down. In the top of the fourth, they tallied three more runs thanks to doubles by Grant Johnson, Anderson and Brian Halonen. Momentum was on the REL Inc.-MT side of the plate until the bottom of the sixth inning.

“We kept grinding out good at bats that inning,” Bostwick said. ” We strung together some good contact and got some fortunate bounces in the field and scored some runs.”

Garnet scored six runs to be exact as they went through the lineup. A base hit by Julien Blake started the frame off. Eli Heathman and Carter Crouch both then walked and would come in on a Justin Norkol hit to left. Saari added two more Garnet tallies with a line drive off the fence in right center and a double by Blake, who was at the plate for the second time that inning, capping off a six-run rally.

“You can’t give up three walks in an inning and expect to keep the lead,” said REL Inc.-MT starting pitcher Al Jurmu. “That much I know.”

REL Inc.-MT had their work cut out for them in the seventh but couldn’t get past second base. The game ended with an Aksel Loukus strikeout.

“I was pleased with our performance,” Bostwick said. “We had consistent pitching, and our fielding for the most part was strong here on opening day.

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