The Chillicothe Mudcats, playing their annual “home” game at Burleigh Grimes Field in Trenton, rallied from an early 2-0 hole to defeat the Cassville Arrows on Monday night, winning by a final score of 4-2.
North Central Missouri College product Blake Collister went the first five innings for Chillicothe, and, despite facing the minimum in the first three innings, was saddled with a no-decision. Collister gave up a solo homer to NCMC teammate Tanner Ryan to lead off the top of the 4th inning, with the Arrows adding a second run, with Smith Kemper scoring on a single by Ryan Hickman. Collister struck out back-to-back hitters to escape further damage with the bases loaded and one out.
The Mudcats rallied to tie the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the 4th inning, as Bryce Bisenius hit a one-out double, moved to third on a Chris Peres single, and scored on an RBI hit by catcher DaVonte Washington. Peres moved to third on a hit batter and scored on a fielders choice grounder by third baseman Kenny Jarema.
Chillicothe’s bullpen of Baltz, Johnston, and Gossman slammed the door on the Cassville offense over the final five innings, allowing just one hit, three walks, and a hit batter.
With the bullpen keeping the score even, Chillicothe seized a 3-2 lead on a sacrifice fly by Washington in the sixth, scoring Bisenius. A solo homer by Bisenius, with one out in the eighth, finished the scoring.
Chillicothe, coming off of a three-game weekend sweep of Nevada, before an off day on Sunday, will host Cassville tonight (Tuesday night) at 7:05 at Shaffer Park. The ‘Cats travel to Clarinda, Iowa to face the MINK League North rival A’s on Wednesday night, host Clarinda on Thursday night, and travel to Joplin for a three-game weekend series with the Outlaws this weekend.
Other Monday night finals from the MINK League were Sedalia over Clarinda 9-3, St. Joseph winning at Joplin 8-0, and Nevada doubling up Jefferson City, 4-2.
