In fact even those were in short supply at the tail-end of a three-games-in-eight-hours stretch that saw Milton stave off elimination twice before finally being ousted by the eventual champion Erindale Cardinals in the double-knockout Central Ontario Baseball Association (COBA) playdowns.

Despite missing a few key players, the defending champs staged a valiant run following Thursday's 2-1 heartbreaker to the Oakville As -- delivering a couple of decisive wins at Burlington's Nelson Park to hold off their 2008 exit for as long as possible.

Here's how Saturday's run played out.

MILTON 7, BURLINGTON 1

Hopes for a lengthy day looked a little bleak after the opening frame, as the Red Sox suffered a couple of mental glitches and had their 1-0 lead wiped out.

However, Ian Zettle continued his late-season prowess -- scattering four hits over a sharp complete-game performance -- while a four-run second inning propelled Milton to a commanding win over its regional rivals.

Half of the Red Sox's 10 hits were of the extra-base variety, including a two-run homer by seasoned third baseman Joe Jurus, who drove in three runs overall to help eliminate the second-place finishers. Junior call-up Sean Mathé -- at shortstop -- drove in two runs on a pair of hits, while also recording RBI were catcher Curt Davies and centre fielder Carlos D'Costa, who scored twice and aided the second-inning surge with a two-out triple.

Zettle didn't allow more than one hit in any inning, while a line-out double play by second baseman Kurt Mitchell in the bottom of the fourth served as a huge blow against the still hopeful Brants.

MILTON 6, ST. CATHARINES 3

It looked as though the Red Sox's penchant for leaving runners on base might come back to haunt them like it did in round two against Oakville.

But Milton came through in the clutch, scoring five times in their final at-bat -- with four runs coming on two outs -- to send the regular-season champion Metros packing.

D'Costa and DH Matt Tales powered the Red Sox's late drive with RBI doubles, while Mitchell also drove in a run and had two hits. Other RBI were recorded by first baseman Kevin Cooper and Davies, moved over to left field after Nick Mazzorato returned behind the plate.

Milton had a modest five hits heading into the last inning and had stranded seven on base. Allowing them to stay in the game was an exceptional effort by southpaw Brian Stewart -- who gave up just two hits before Steve Spiers came in to close things out -- and error-free defence.

St. Catharines scored two in the bottom of the seventh to add a little suspense.

ERINDALE 8, MILTON 0

Deserving a closer finish after such a hard-fought run, the Red Sox kept the Cardinals scoreless until the fourth inning, but just didn't enjoy the breaks necessary to extend their season.

Young Scott McTrach was impressive in his first start with the seniors, working his way into the fifth inning, and collected five strikeouts to keep things close. Damian Campbell wrapped it up on the mound and Milton was quite strong in the field.

But Erindale -- with more in the tank, having played two games to the Red Sox's three -- came up with a few terrific defensive plays. Meanwhile, Milton left seven on base while the game was still up for grabs and stranded nine overall.

The Red Sox finish the season -- which included a 2-2 showing at the Ontario 'A' Eliminations and a 14-11 regular season -- at one game over .500.