If this is a sign of things to come for the 2025 Milton Red Sox, the season looks bright for the Scarlet Hosers. A game that the 2024 squad may have folded in, this version of the Sox answered the bell in a tough tilt against a very good opponent and formidable starting pitcher.

With the game cruising and scoreless until the Brants' half of the 4th, Burlington opened the scoring after a leadoff double came home to roost after a fielders' choice and a sacrifice fly to put the home side up 1-0. It wasn't until the top of the 6th inning when Liam Butchereit's RBI single knotted the tight affair. An unearned run for Burlington put the Brants back up 2-1 after their half of the 6th.

The Sox captured the lead for good in the top of the 7th after Catcher Jakob Siracusa doubled to centre field, 2nd baseman Oliver Reyes singled over a drawn-in Burlington infield, and Josh Maxwell was grazed by a pitch to plate the 4th Milton run of the game. Liam Buckley's shot off the base of the fence in right centre fiield rounded out the scoring for the Sox, tabbing two more runs to extend the Milton lead to 6-2. Burlington would gain one run back in their last hurrah in the 9th inning to make the final 6-3 for the Red Sox.

Starter Nathan Hamel was vintage and in command all evening - pitching 6 innings, and limiting the Burlington bats to 4 hits, 2 runs (1 earned), while striking out 2 and issuing zero walks. Kyle Clark mopped up in relief with 3 soild innings to get the save. The tall lefty allowed 1 hit, 1 run (unearned), striking out 3, and walking two.

WIth only one infield single credited until the 4th inning, the Sox tallied 10 hits for the game. Chris Bloom and Liam Buckley provided the one-two punch at the top of the lineup collecting 2 hits apiece. Buckley also led Milton with 2 RBI, while going 2 for 5 on the night. Some timely defence was also on display the entire night, and came up big when Burlington looked to be knocking.

The Red Sox and Brants will engage in a return collision on Saturday as Milton hosts its' annual Campbellville home game in the village. Game time 1:30 pm at Campbellville New Park.