REL Inc.-Mohawk Technology’s Ned Larson prepares to slide into home plate as Houghton Building Supply-Stanton catcher Brad Juntinen looks to put the tag on him during a game Thursday in Stanton. (Eddie O’Neill/Daily Mining Gazette)

STANTON — REL-Mohawk Technology entered the month of August on a two-game losing streak, and the beginning of their Thursday game against Houghton Building Supply-Stanton looked like it would continue that way. They allowed four runs in the first two innings, and only countered with zero of their own.

However, while those first two innings belonged to Stanton, the last three belonged to REL. They came back with two in the fifth, three in the sixth and another three in the seventh for a 9-6 come-from-behind win.

“It felt good to get back on the winning track,” said REL’s player-coach Travis Pietila. “I wish we hadn’t waited so long to string some hits together, but we came out on the winning end, and that’s what counts.”

Stanton’s (6-4) opening runs came via outfielder Zack Geberkoff and second baseman Joel Durocher. Geberkoff walked and came home a batter later courtesy of a Durocher RBI double. Durocher scored as well off a fielder’s choice tagged by catcher Brad Juntinen.

In the second inning, right fielder Cale Devoe and starting pitcher Rob Brooks both scored thanks to Joel’s second double of the game. Stanton now led 4-0.

Houghton Building Supply-Stanton catcher Brad Juntinen swings away while at the plate in a game against REL Inc.-Mohawk Technology on Thursday in Stanton. (Eddie O’Neill/Daily Mining Gazette)

REL (3-6) got their first run in the top of the fourth courtesy of Ned Larson. An inning later, they added two more runs, but so did Stanton. After five innings of play, Stanton led 6-3.

However, while Stanton was done scoring, REL wasn’t.

They added three big runs in the sixth and with it a lot of momentum with Grant Johnson on the mound, replacing starter Alan Jurmu. The rally started with first baseman Ty Loukus doubling to center for REL. Kyle Heltunen followed with a single and Pietila brought them home on a single of his own to make this a 6-6 game.

Johnson blanked his opponent in the sixth and the seventh, three up and three down, to earn the win for REL. In between, he had a hit, as did Ty Loukus, to add three more runs to the scoreboard and a tally in the victory column.

“Credit goes to them,” said Stanton’s player-coach Daron Durocher. “They came back and won it. We started the game hot but could not keep it going. That’s baseball.”

In other action on Thursday, Northern Driveline slipped past Craig Heinonen Coldwell Banker 6-5.

UP NEXT

Next week is the last full week of regular season play for this year’s Twilight League. On Tuesday, Stanton will face Garnet Garage at 6:30 p.m. at Houghton High School. On the same date and time, REL will play Northern Driveline in Stanton.

The play-in game (fourth seed vs. fifth seed) for the Twilight League Championship tournament is slated for Thursday, Aug. 17, with the playoffs and championship game taking place on Sunday, Aug. 20, with the location to be determined.