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Garnet Garage headed to Twilight championship series

Earn 9-8 comeback win over Houghton Building Supply/Stanton

HOUGHTON -- After scoring five runs in the late innings of Thursday’s Game Two semifinal against Houghton Building Supply/Stanton, Garnet Garage player-coach Kevin Bostwick hoped that the scoring momentum would carry over into the third-and-decisive third game on Sunday, and it did.

It was not an explosive momentum, but rather a steady one. The men in maroon scored two runs in four innings to overcome an 8-2 deficit and eventually win, 9-8.

"We played until the final out," said Bostwick. "We were down by six and chipped away for the win."

All eight of Stanton’s runs came in the first three innings. While Garnet Garage posted two in the opening frame off of Houghton Building Supply’s Eli Heathman, they earned them back in their second at bat. Back-to-back doubles by Stanton pitcher Eli Luoma and first baseman Brad Juntinen put the game in a 2-2 knot after two innings of play.

In the top of the third, Houghton Building Supply made an impressive six-run statement. A single and a double by Levi Frahm and Daron Durocher, respectively, got things going for the men in pin strips. Then a double by Dax Durocher and singles by Cole Gregoire, Bryce Hanner and Joel Durocher all added up to six runs before the lineup turned over at the plate. That, however, was as good as it got for Stanton.

Garnet Garage starter Eli Heathman went on to blank their opponent for the remaining four innings and earn the game ball from his teammate and coach Bostwick. The right-hander threw seven innings and struck out 10 and walked three for the win

"Eli was there and threw a gem," said Bostwick. "It was a gutsy performance to give up eight runs in three innings and then post zeros the rest of the way."

Garnet Garage’s "chipping away" included scoring at least one run in the remaining four innings. Two runs in the third led to Kade Ferrell scoring in the fourth. A one-out double by Gaborik Carlson in the fifth followed by a Will Romano single led to two more tallies and put them within one of Stanton at 8-7.

In the sixth, Garnet Garage tied it and took the lead with runs eight and nine. A walk to Bostwick led to the tying run and a double by Heathman was the game winner.

Up next

With the win, Garnet Garage will face Northern Driveline on Tuesday for the 2026 Twilight championship series. Game One in the best-of-three series will take place at Houghton High School at 6 p.m.

Northern Driveline defeated Coldwell Banker/Craig Heinonen in a two-game sweep to earn their spot in the title round.

Bostwick had a tried-and-true formula for winning the title against Northern Driveline.

"We need to throw strikes, play defense, and hit the ball well," he said.