Garnet Garage’s Kevin Bostwick connects with a pitch from Coldwell Banker Craig Heinonen pitcher Eric Anderson during a game Thursday at the Hancock Driving Park. (Daver Karnosky/Daily Mining Gazette)

HANCOCK — In Twilight League baseball, Garnet Garage, a team made up of former Houghton Gremlins hockey players, has been the team everyone has been chasing, thanks to the run of success they have had over the last two-to-three years. Coming off a 12-10 win at home over Coldwell Banker Craig Heinonen on Tuesday, Garnet Garage was back at it again Thursday as they earned a 3-2 win over Coldwell Banker at the Hancock Driving Park.

“We did enough to scrape a win, and (it was) a lot different than Tuesday’s 12-10 game,” said Garnet Garage player-coach Kevin Bostwick. “It’s always a good time when you can win multiple ways.”

Bostwick was quick to point out that his team has found several ways to win, which should prove valuable to them down the stretch to the playoffs.

“We’re getting close to tournament time for the Leo (Durocher Memorial Tournament), so it’s good to be able to win a tight one,” he said. “It’s good to win a hitting fest like we had on Tuesday. (You) have to be able to win multiple ways in this league, otherwise you will not win.”

Coldwell Banker player-coach Ross Kinnunen admitted that his team is struggling to find a way to beat the young Garnet Garage squad.

“A completely different game, Tuesday was a softball game, today was a baseball game,” he said. “I prefer a baseball game; prefer to hit a couple more. We didn’t. We brought our bats Tuesday. We left them at the field on Tuesday. But, we brought our baseball mitts though. So, our defense came alive again, and our pitching was good today. But, yeah, it was just … that team was good. We haven’t beat them in three years or something.”

Ross Kinnunen knows it will take a complete game to defeat Garnet Garage in any future matchup.

“They’re the team to beat in the league, and they don’t make mistakes,” he said. “They’re not going to lose. You have to beat them, and we just haven’t done it. We’ve lost a few games like on our own accord, and yeah, they don’t lose games. They win them. So, we just have to come and play.”

The difference between the two teams Thursday came in the top of the seventh inning as Garage Garage’s Kade Ferrell hit a long single off of relief pitcher Brady Turner to center field. He stole second before Bostwick drilled a ball to right field. Ferrell scored on the play, and a defensive error allowed Bostwick to advance to second before the play came to an end. With the score at that point, 3-1, Mike Saari flew out to end the inning.

Coldwell Banker needed a response in the bottom half of the inning. Simon Rajala delivered with a triple to the right field fence. He scored on a ground out by Levi Kinnunen two batters later. Brogan Turner singled to left field and suddenly the tying run was on base. Trevor Halonen followed with a single to the right field fence, moving Turner to third. However, a ground out by Eric Anderson ended the inning and the game.

Ross Kinnunen lamented runners left on base in key moments.

“On Tuesday, we had a guy up with base loaded, down two, and a base hit scores two, but it just … this one feels maybe a little more frustrating, because we had a few chances in later innings there, and we just didn’t quite come through. Obviously, Simon had an awesome hit to lead off, a triple. He scored, for sure. But then, we got a guy to third, and just right there, right there.”

Garnet Garage got things started in the top of the first inning as Ferrell singled to left field. A defensive error two batters later allowed him to score from first.

It did not take Coldwell Banker long to even things up. In the bottom half of the inning, Brogan Turner reached on an error. Halonen then reached on an error as well. Brogan Turner then stole third before Cody Turner hit into a fielder’s choice. However, Brogan Turner scored on the play and Cody Turner managed to make it to first safely.

With the game tied at 1-1 in the top of the sixth, Garnet Garage found a way to break through again.

Mike Saari drew a one-out walk. A defensive error allowed him to get to second. Chris Saari then reached on an error, putting runners on the corners. Gaborik Carlson singled to left field to bring Mike Saari home.

Anderson and Brady Turner combined for four strikeouts in the loss. Chris Saari also collected four strikeouts to earn the win for Garnet Garage.

Up next

Garnet Garage returns to the Hancock Driving Park Tuesday for a matchup with REL Technologies. Coldwell Banker is off until Tuesday, July 1.

Coldwell Banker Craig Heinonen pitcher Eric Anderson prepares to deliver a pitch during a game against Garnet Garage Thursday at the Hancock Driving Park. (Daver Karnosky/Daily Mining Gazette)