MELBOURNE, 23 December - After seeing a five-run lead disappear, the Sydney Blue Sox (14-12) won a back-and-forth battle 10-8 over the Jet Couriers Melbourne Aces (8-18) behind three hits and three RBIs from Trent Schmutter Sunday afternoon at Melbourne Ballpark.

In a game that saw 14 runs scored from the sixth inning on, Schmutter delivered a game-winning single to centre field in the top of the ninth inning, scoring JD Williams and Jacob Younis for a 10-8 lead with the Blue Sox down to their final out, propelling them to their third win in the four game series.

"It was nice to finally come out on top in a wild one," Blue Sox manager Jason Pospishil said. "I thought we showed great character to come back after giving up a big lead. Credit to Melbourne for battling back but I'm very proud of my guys today."

Going in to the bottom of the sixth inning the Sox led 5-0 behind two RBIs from Mitch Dening, a run on a wild pitch and solo home runs from Zach Penprase and Boss Moanaroa. In the bottom of the sixth Carlo Testa and Elliot Biddle hit back-to-back home runs to cut the deficit to 5-2.

In the bottom of the seventh, Melbourne came back to tie the game on an RBI-groundout and a pair of RBI-singles. In the top of the eighth, Schmutter singled home Williams for a 6-5 lead. That set the stage for Melbourne to score three runs in the bottom of the eighth, staking an 8-6 lead heading in to the final frame.

With the bases loaded in the ninth, Younis drew a walk to trail 8-7. Then after a strikeout and the Sox down to their final strike, Michael Lysaught beat out an infield single to score James Robbins and tie the game at 8-8. That set the stage for Schmutter to record his third hit of the game, giving the Sox the two-run lead.

Tyler Herr (2-1) picked up his second win in as many nights, recording the final out in the eighth inning. Matt Williams earned his league-leading ninth save, tossing a 1-2-3 final inning. Cameron Forbes (0-1) took the loss, allowing four runs on two hits and two walks in just 1/3 of an inning pitched. Lost in the fray of the high-scoring affair was the strong outing turned in by Sydney starter Tim Atherton, who allowed two runs on four hits while striking out six in six innings.

Schmutter and Dening led the way for Sydney offensively, as each finished 3-for-4 with a run scored. Penprase, Moanaroa and Lysaught all finished with two hits apiece, while the bottom three hitters in Sydney's lineup, Moanaroa, Lysaught and Schmutter, finished a combined 7-for-14 with five RBIs and two runs scored.

The Blue Sox are back in action this Thursday when they take on the Adelaide Bite proudly supported by SA Power Networks in a four-game series to close out the calendar year. First pitch is set for 7:30 p.m. with all four games taking place at Blacktown International Sportspark.