Ethan Xavier drove in 4 runs, including a bases loaded/clearing double in the 5th inning to break open a tight game and send the Milton Red Sox to a 10-7 Saturday night victory at Nelson Park.

Milton opened the scoring in the first inning - leadoff hitter Chris Bloom walked, Xavier laid down a sacrifice bunt, and Josh Maxwell doubled home Bloom to get the Sox on top first. Tyler Henshaw would then trade places with Maxwell with a two-bagger of his own to put the Red Sox up 2-0 before the Brants had a turn to bat.

Burlington would get one back in the home half of the 2nd, but the Sox answered right back when Medrik Dube launched his first COBA Major home run to pad the lead to 3-1. The Brants stratched out another single in the 3rd, only to have Milton respond with Dube's 2nd RBI of the night, scoring Xavier who had got the ball rolling with a two-out single, and advanced into scoring position when Maxwell walked. Milton 4, Burlington 2.

The two run lead lasted all of about 5 minutes, as a long, solo Brants' homer cut the lead to 4-3.

Enter the Milton 5th inning - Henshaw led off with a single - one of his 3 hits on the game - catcher Brendan Mahoney walked, and after a strikeout, a fielder's choice reach from Ben Singh, and a walk to Bloom to load the bases with two out, Xavier popped his long double over the centrefilder's head to plate all 3 of his teammates and push the Milton lead to 7-3.

With the game at 7-4 in the 7th, the Sox pushed another 3 runs across courtesy of Singh's line drive RBI single to score Mahoney; Xavier's 4th ribby on a hard groundout to plate Ben Bishop, and Maxwell's RBI single scoring SIngh.

Burlington would score 3 late runs, but the Milton defence came up big when needed and stopped the Brants from getting any closer.

Adrian Cookson went 6 innings for Milton and earned the much-deserved win. The righty hurler allowed 5 hits, 4 runs (2 ER), striking out 4, and walking two. Nate Hamel made a rare relief appearance and earned his first save with 3 innings of work.

Offensively, Milton piled up 13 hits. Henshaw led the hit-parade with 3, with Bloom, Maxwell, and Dube each collected two apiece. Bloom - playing 3rd base on this night, dazzled with the glove robbing a sure extra-base hit when the Brants were seemingly gaining some momentum late. Defensively, the Sox turned one double play for the game.

With the win, Milton improves to 10-8 on the COBA season and overtakes Burlington within their division for 2nd spot.

Next: Milton will return to Nelson Park this coming Wednesday for their last regular season go-around with the Brants. Game time 7:30 pm.