Chris Smorenburg is finding his COBA Major groove. The multi-positioned "rookie" collected three hits, as the Red Sox defeated the A's 10-7 on Friday night to level their 2025 COBA Major season record at 2-2. He doubled in the eventual winning run in the 8th inning, adding to his first & sixth inning singles.

The Sox got on the board in the 1st inning, after Smorenburg singled, coupled with an A's error which led to an early 2-0 Milton lead. The visitors added another score when outfielder, Liam Buckley singled down the lft field line to make it 3-1.

The Oakville bats awoke over the next two innings, and the A's took the lead 6-3 in the bottom of the 3rd inning thanks to RBI singles by Mitch Over & Marc Walton.

Quickly thereafter, the Sox would tie the game at 6 in their half of the 4th inning after a leadoff walk by shortstop, Chris Bloom and a clean single by Buckley eventually came around to score on two fielder's choices with runners in scoring position by Liam Butchereit and Jakob Siracusa, respectively. Butchereit would round out the scoring in the inning for Milton.

The next few innings provided some stingy defence and little offence as the pitchers for both sides took over. Nate Hamel was holding serve for the Sox, keeping the omni-potent Oakville bats at bay.

The Red Sox captured the lead for good in the top of the 8th inning with Smorenburg's RBI double. Siracusa also doubled, driving in 2, and Josh Maxwell's hard RBI groundout rounded out the 4-run inning to lift the Sox to a 10-6 advantage. The A's threatened in their half of the 8th, getting one run back, but Hamel again closed the door to preserve the win.

A gutsy performance earned Hamel the win; hurling 5 1/3 innings in relief of rookie starter, Brayden Krolikowski - who pitched 2 2/3 innings to begin the game. The veteran Hamel allowed three hits, one run, striking out two, and walking two on the night. 

The Red Sox tallied 14 hits in the game. Smorenburg and Buckley each collected three hits, while Siracusa led the Sox with 4 RBI. Outfielder, Aaron Nash had two hits, including a laser line-drive double to ignite the late rally. The Sox showed some patience at the plate too, tallying eight walks for the game. Chris Bloom, Ben Bishop, and Liam Butchereit each had two free passes. Defensively, Milton turned one double play on the evening.

The Red Sox will have the week off and hook up with the Erindale Cardinals for a daytime doubleheader next Saturday, May 24 at Milton Community Park. First game goes at 12 pm.