Such was the case for Iron Mountain Gold as it defeated Marinette, Wisconsin, 3-1 in the title game of the Gregg Johnson-Al Erickson Memorial American Legion baseball tournament here Sunday.

The Golds (5-1) scored the runs they needed in the sixth inning, and Andrew Poupore put the finishing touches to his complete-game victory by striking out a battling Braeden McMahon.

“It was back and forth,” Poupore said. “When we got the two runs, it was definitely a big boost. Those gave us a little breathing room, but they kept fighting. I just had to do my job, and our defense helped me out.”

Poupore scattered five hits, struck out six and walked one for the Golds.

Iron Mountain's Andrew Poupore pitches against Marinette, Wis., during the championship game of the Gregg Johnson-Al Erickson Memorial American Legion baseball tournament on Sunday in Escanaba. (Escanaba Daily Press photo by Todd Rose)

Caleb Johnson’s single to rightfield gave Iron Mountain a 2-1 lead, and Kody Hendrick’s infield single provided the insurance run in the sixth.

Relief pitcher Alex Rupert scored Marinette’s run on a fielder’s choice in the third.

Iron Mountain’s Evan Haferkorn tied the score on a throwing error in the fifth.

Austin Burnside, who threw 105 pitches in five innings, took the loss. He fanned seven, walked five and allowed two runs on two hits.

Iron Mountain advanced to the final with a 9-1 triumph in Gladstone over the Sault Ste. Marie-based Eastern U.P. Wood Ducks.

The Golds broke a 1-1 deadlock with four consecutive singles in the fourth, then added three runs in the fifth and one in the sixth.

“I was a little fatigued in the fourth and fifth,” said losing pitcher Vinny Febles, who had a no-hitter going after three frames.

Sean Durand earned the complete-game victory, striking out six, walking none and allowing five hits. Febles whiffed five, walked three and surrendered eight runs on seven hits.

Marinette beat a fellow Wisconsin team, the Green Bay Shockers, 10-2 in Sunday’s other semifinal in Escanaba.

Burnside, McMahon and Ryan VanVodron had two hits each for Marinette.