Another warm, humid night; another game that got away. A concerning pattern playing out mid-season for the 2025 Milton Red Sox.
Already reeling fom back-to-back losses to league-leading Etobicoke the previous week, the Sox looked to get back in the win column Monday evening at Ninth Line Sports Park.
The game started well for Milton as the Sox jumped out to an early 2-0 second inning lead when Rookie Jeremy Kim slashed an opposite-field double down into the right field corner, scoring catcher Jakob Siracusa, who doubled earlier, and Brayden Krolikowski who had reached base on a fielder's choice.
Erindale struck back in their half of the 2nd inning with three runs of their own; in part to four consecutive hits, including two doubles off Milton starter Chris Cloes. The Cardinals padded the lead with two additional runs in the 3rd after the Sox turned a double play to negate a leadoff single. With two out: consecutive singles, and consecuitve walks put Erindale up 5-2.
Milton was seemingly ready to take the game their way in the middle innings. First baseman Medrik Dube led off the 4th with a walk, and Krolikowski doubled off the fence in left-centre field putting runners on 2nd & 3rd with no outs. With one out, second baseman Matt Fusco plated Dube with an RBI groundout, left fielder Ethan Xavier doubled home Krolikowski, and Chris Bloom singled home Xavier to knot the game at 5-5. The Red Sox scored again the 5th by way of an Owen Dobosh leadoff single - Dobosh would then steal 2nd & 3rd base - an Ilias Sahebzada walk, and capped by a long sacrifice fly by Dube to give the Sox a 6-5 lead.
However, like so many night before, Erindale was not finished. The Cardinals got to reliever Josh Maxwell in the 6th inning, pushing across 4 runs to take the lead for good. The home team would score 2 more in the 7th to make the final Erindale 11, Milton 6.
Cloes went 3 innings for Milton; surrendering 8 hits, and 5 runs (5 ER) in his three innings of work. Additionally, the veteran hurler would strike out two and walk three. Kyle Clark pitched a clean 4th inning, striking out 1. Maxwell's maiden journey to the mound this season would bring him the loss with 3 hits, 4 runs (4 ER), and 3 walks issued. However, a promising outing despite the result. Nick Edwards worked an inning, allowing 2 runs (1 ER), and Rhys Tapper concluded the Sox evening, throwing 8 pitches and striking out 1.
With the aforemntioned loss, Milton drops below .500 for the season at 8-9. The Sox will be off the remainder of the week as they prepare for the Annual COBA Showcase Event - the HAP Walters Memorial Challenge. Teams from all over Ontario attend and the field is littered with stout GTBL teams; Newmarket Hawks, Thornhill Reds, Leaside Leafs, Ajax Spartans, and Kendal Eagles. The Ilderton Riverhawks will represent the LDBA, while 6 of the 7 COBA senior clubs will compete; including Etobicoke Rangers, Brampton Royals, Oakville A's, Erindale Cardinals, Burlington Brants, and your Milton Red Sox. Milton Community Park will serve as the main hub for the tournament, and there will be games hosted in Oakville and Etobicoke as well. The tournament begins Friday at 6:00 pm and goes all weekend, with the semi-finals & finals slated for Sunday in Milton.
The Red Sox will return to COBA regualr season play Monday, July 21 when they return to Erindale in an attempt to avenge this week's loss and get back to the .500 mark.
