The Chillicothe Mudcats are heading into the final two weeks of the MINK League season as the hottest of the eight teams in the league, shutting out the Nevada Griffons on Thursday night, 6-0. The win was Chillicothe’s third straight via shutout, as the Mudcat pitching staff scattered nine hits, while starting pitcher Caleb Bounds (a former NCMC Pirate) twirled seven shutout innings in earning the win. Right-hander Clayton Luley was tagged with the loss for Nevada.
Both teams entered Chillicothe’s annual “Trenton game” as leaders in their respective divisions, with the Mudcats pulling ahead in the North while the Griffons controlled the south. The teams will make up Wednesday night’s rain out by playing two seven-inning games tonight (Friday night) at Shaffer Park in Chillicothe. First pitch is scheduled for 5:05.
The Mudcats, now 24-12 on the season, got two runs scored and two stolen bases from leadoff man Ryan McPhail. Two hole hitter Ryan Kayhill added a pair of RBI’s, while designated hitter John Remick went 3-for-4 with two RBI’s. Chillicothe scored twice in the bottom of the 1st, 4th, and 7th innings to snare the victory.
The result in Trenton was the only MINK League game played on Thursday night, as a scheduled doubleheader with Clarinda at Joplin was rained out. St. Joseph, in a non-league game, lost in 11 innings to the Kansas City Monarchs, 7-4.
In addition to the Nevada at Chillicothe doubleheader on Friday night, Clarinda will play at Joplin in two games. St. Joseph hosts Branson and Ozark travels to Sedalia.
