Coldwell Banker Craig Heinonen’s Andrew Kinnunen throws from the mound Thursday in the Twilight League championship game against Northern Driveline at Stanton Field. Kinnunen earned the win as he pitched through five innings. (Eddie O’Neill/For the Gazette) 

STANTON — The 2025 Twilight League wrapped up on Thursday with Coldwell Banker Craig Heinonen earning their first title with a 6-2 win over Northern Driveline.

“We played a complete game,” noted Coldwell Banker’s player-coach Ross Kinnunen. “We played good defense, had great pitching and hit the ball well. It feels good.”

After a scoreless first frame, Coldwell Banker got on the board with a solo home run off the bat of Cody Turner that flew over the right-field fence.

Coldwell Banker held that 1-0 lead until the fourth.

It was then that Northern Driveline scored two and took their one-and-only lead of the game at 2-1. Scoring that inning were Buzz Rajala and Craig Halonen. Rajala reached on a walk, and Halonen reached on a base hit.

It was a short-lived lead, however, for Northern Driveline as Coldwell Banker countered with four runs including a three-run blast off the bat of Brady Turner over the right-field fence that brought Ross Kinnunen and Brogan Turner across home.

“Game ball goes to Brady for the homer,” said Ross. “That was fun to see.”

While Northern Driveline had their chances with men on base in the fifth, sixth and seventh frames, they could not get them home. Coldwell Banker, meanwhile, added one more in the sixth, an insurance run to take a four-run advantage, 6-2.

Andrew Kinnunen earned the win from the mound going five innings. He walked four and struck out two. Brent Loukus suffered the loss as Northern Driveline’s pitcher.

Coldwell Banker entered the post season as the second seed at (6-6) They defeated Houghton Building Supply-Stanton in the semifinal game last week to reach the title game.

Northern Driveline’s (fourth seed) road to the title game included a 7-6 win over REL Inc./ Mohawk Technology in the quarterfinals and a 3-2 upset of the first-place regular-season winners Garnet Garage.

Northern Driveline’s player-coach Evan Larson gave credit to Coldwell Banker as he said they were the better team on Thursday.

“Hats off to them; they hit the ball,” stated Larson. “We, on the other hand, had three innings that ended in double plays.

“They capitalized. We didn’t.”

Northern Driveline’s Brent Loukus swings away Thursday in the Twilight League championship game at Stanton Field. Northern Driveline lost to Coldwell Banker Craig Heinonen, 6-2. (Eddie O’Neill/For the Gazette)