REL Inc./Mohawk Technology's Travis Pietila swings away in the third inning of game against Northern Driveline at the Paul Lehto Baseball Diamond in Wolverine Tuesday. (Eddie O’Neill/For the Gazette)

WOLVERINE — REL Inc./Mohawk Technology ended their 2025 Twilight League regular season with a much-needed win after two straight losses. The boys in blue got back on the winning track with a 3-2 victory over Northern Driveline.

It was a come-from-behind win for REL as Northern Driveline jumped out to a 2-0 lead in their first at bat. In that frame, Alex Nordstrom led off with a base hit. He was joined on the base paths by Buzz Rajala, who stroked a line drive up the middle off of REL’s starter Sam Kariniemi. Back-to- back misplayed balls in the REL outfield led to them both scoring, and Northern Driveline led that quicly.

REL, however, tied it with two of their own in the bottom of the second. Base hits by Kariniemi and Robert Hill put RBIs on the bags for Vince Heinonen. He brought them both in to tie the game with a hard hit double to left center.

An inning later, REL took the lead with another tally when a walk to Brandon Pietila issued by Northern’s starter Brent Loukus led to a run courtesy of a base rap by Ned Larson.

REL now led by one, 3-2, and that is how it stayed through the remaining four innings.

Northern’s player-coach, Evan Larson, gave credit where credit was due.

“They (REL) capitalized on some poor plays from us, and they played good defense,” he said. “Those two things made the difference tonight.”

Kariniemi earned the win on the mound for REL. Loukus suffered the loss.

Northern Driveline closes out the season at 5-7 and in the fourth in the final standings. REL ends the season in last place at 3-9.

Up next

These two teams be at it again on Tuesday, Aug. 12. in a playoff game in Stanton at 6:30 p.m.