The Chillicothe Mudcats suffered two losses in a doubleheader against the Carroll Merchants, ending their four-game winning streak. In the first game, right-handed pitcher Karter Muck had an impressive performance, throwing six innings of one-run ball with seven strikeouts. The Mudcats had a 2-1 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, but the Merchants rallied to tie the game and eventually won 3-2 on a walk-off hit-by-pitch.
In the second game, right-handed pitcher Jaydon Cabezudo started for the Mudcats but struggled, allowing two runs in the first inning and three more in the second. Cabezudo was replaced by right-handed pitcher Koby Linder, who also struggled, giving up four runs during his relief appearance. The Mudcats managed to score three runs in the sixth inning, but it was not enough as they fell 9-3.
These losses have put the Mudcats’ hopes of securing a postseason spot on hold, as they now find themselves in a race for third place. The Carroll Merchants are now only half a game behind Chillicothe in the standings. The Mudcats face a challenging last week of the regular season, with games against first-place St. Joseph and fifth-place Des Moines. They also have two games against Nevada, who holds a 2-0 record against them this season. The final game of the season will be against the second-place Clarinda A’s, who have a winning record against the Mudcats.
With their postseason aspirations uncertain, the Mudcats need to approach their remaining nine regular season games with urgency and a do-or-die mentality. The team has shown that they excel when their backs are against the wall, and they will need to tap into that mindset to finish the season strong.
Elsewhere in the MINK League on Thursday night, Sedalia split a doubleheader against Des Moines, with the Peak Prospects winning the opener 3-0, with the Bombers taking the second game 8-3. In non-league play, the St. Joseph Mustangs lost to the Kansas City Monarchs 6-3. Jefferson City walloped Nevada 16-6 with Joplin downing Clarinda 7-5.
On Friday night, Chillicothe is at St. Joseph in a 7 ‘clock first pitch, with other games including Des Moines at Carroll, Clarinda at Nevada, Sedalia at Joplin, and in non-league play, the Jefferson City Legends play the Jefferson City Renegades.
