After suffering a tough home loss against St. Joseph on Thursday, the Chillicothe Mudcats headed to Phil Welch Stadium for a critical showdown against the Mustangs. The game held significant importance for Chillicothe, as they were tied for third place with the Carroll Merchants.
The Mustangs showcased their strong batting prowess, securing a 9-3 victory against the Mudcats. Unfortunately for Chillicothe, this loss marked the third consecutive game where they found themselves just one play or call away from a different outcome.
Right from the start, the Mudcats displayed a determined and proactive attitude on Friday night. This game marked the culmination of a season-long “rivalry” matchup between the teams, and the winner would take the season series, which was tied at 3-3.
The Mustangs quickly gained an advantage, leading 3-0 after the first two innings. Chillicothe fought back, scoring two runs in the top of the third, narrowing the deficit to 3-2.
Throughout the game, the score remained close at 4-2, with the Mustangs still in the lead. The Mudcats managed to inch closer in the sixth inning, trailing by just one run.
However, the eighth inning turned the tide decisively in favor of the Mustangs. RHP Caleb Bergman, who had been performing well out of the bullpen, faced difficulties in the inning, resulting in the Mustangs’ five-run surge, securing a commanding 9-3 lead.
With a six-run advantage, St. Joseph needed only three outs in the ninth to clinch the victory and secure their first-place seeding in the division. The Mudcats’ bats struggled in the final inning, going 1-2-3, and the game ended with a 9-3 defeat for Chillicothe.
Despite the challenging situation, the Mudcats are not giving up. To keep their playoff hopes alive, they must rely on the Mustangs defeating the Carroll Merchants in the Saturday night game. Additionally, Chillicothe needs a victory against the Clarinda A’s, with both games starting at 7:00 PM. If these scenarios play out, the Mudcats’ fate would then hinge on Clarinda’s performance against Carroll on Sunday.
As the season nears its conclusion, the pressure is on for the Chillicothe Mudcats to secure their spot in the postseason. The team remains determined and hopeful as they enter the final countdown in pursuit of their playoff aspirations.
Elsewhere in the MINK League on Friday night, Des Moines beat Clarinda 4-3. On Saturday night at 7 o’clock, Chillicothe plays at Clarinda, Joplin is at Jefferson City, with Carroll at St. Joseph.
