Craig Heinonen Coldwell Banker catcher Carson Turner tags REL Inc.- MT’s Dean Jurmu during Twilight League action Tuesday, July 12, 2022, at Driving Park in Hancock, Mich. (Eddie O’Neill/The Daily Mining Gazette)

HANCOCK — Three runs in the first and one more the fourth were all Craig Heinonen Coldwell Banker needed to tally a 4-3 win over REL Inc.-Mohawk Technology in Twilight League action on Tuesday.

The key to victory according to the Coldwell Banker’s player-manager Ross Kinnunen was defense.

“This was the best game in the field we’ve played all year,” he said. “Defense has been one thing we’ve struggled with but not tonight as we kept the errors to a minimum.”

Strong pitching also helped Coldwell Banker as they moved to 3-3 on the season with the win. Starter Brady Turner pitched a complete-game victory with eight strikeouts and just two walks over seven innings.

“Brady pitched well,” said Kinnunen. “His curve ball was working, and we were able to keep men off bases.”

REL Inc.-MT took an early lead in the top of the first with two runs. With bases loaded, second baseman Dean Jurmu slapped a single up the middle to score leadoff hitters Travis Pietila and Rory Anderson.

However, that two-run lead was short lived as Coldwell Banker countered with three of their own in the bottom of the first. Three walks issued by REL Inc.-MT’s starter Alan Jurmu along with some misplayed ball around the infield and a double by Trevor Halonen allowed Coldwell Banker to take a 3-2 lead into the second.

However, that one-run lead was short lived as REL Inc.-MT tied it up in the top of the second. In that frame, Travis Pietila earned his way to first on a fielder’s choice and crossed home on a Rory Anderson base hit to left.

The score would remain tied until the bottom of the fourth. It was then that the Coldwell Banker’s bats came alive to seal the win. Back-to-back walks to Jeff Kinnunen and Brady Turner put runners in scoring position. Ross Kinnunen put the ball in play and it forced an error by REL Inc.- MT which allowed Jeff Kinnunen to cross home.

“We can’t win a game when are giving them four and five outs an inning,” said REL Inc.-MT’s player-coach Ty Loukus.

While REL Inc.-MT had opportunities to score in the late innings to tie the game, the Coldwell Banker defense strong as they earned the victory.

REL 210 000 0 – 3

CB 300 100 x – 4