Mudcats blow late-game lead, lose chance at MINK League sweep

The hunt for the final spot in the North Division continues to be tight as the Chillicothe Mudcats seek to distance themselves from the Carroll Merchants. They secured a decisive 11-2 victory in game one but suffered a heartbreaking 7-6 loss to Des Moines in the second game. Jackson Lindquist had an impressive performance in game one, going 2-3 with a double, triple, two runs, and an RBI. Tanner Sears leads the league with forty RBIs. The Mudcats broke the single-season stolen bases record with 166 steals.

Pitcher Jaydon Cabezudo impressed in game one, allowing only two runs in six innings. In game two, RHP Caleb Bergman also showed dominance until the last inning, when Des Moines rallied for six runs, securing a walk-off victory.

The Mudcats are hoping to avoid further heartbreak and make a final push for the postseason. They have three games remaining: hosting the first-place Mustangs on Thursday, facing St. Joseph on Friday, and traveling to Clarinda on Saturday. Carroll will battle Nevada on Thursday and St. Joseph on Saturday before ending their season on Sunday. Clarinda has a packed schedule, playing Sedalia on Thursday, Des Moines on Friday, and then facing Chillicothe and Carroll.

Join the Livingston County Farm Bureau and Missouri Farm Bureau Insurance, Joe Neptune Agency, at Shaffer Park tonight (Thursday night) for the Mudcats’ “Home Run Against Hunger” and “Agriculture Appreciation Night” against the St. Joseph Mustangs.

Fans can gain free admission to the game, while ticket supplies last, by donating a canned good or $1.00. All donations will directly benefit the Life Center Food Pantry of Chillicothe. Come and enjoy a night of baseball, popcorn, farm-themed games, and activities for kids, along with giveaways and more. It’s a chance to support the Mudcats and the MINK League as they knock hunger out of the park. Gates open at 6:15, and the first pitch is at 7:05. 

The MINK League Scoreboard from Wednesday, July 19, 2023: 

Chillicothe Mudcats 11, Des Moines Peak Prospects 2 (Game 1) 

Joplin Outlaws 2, Sedalia Bombers 1 (Game 1) 

Des Moines Peak Prospects 7, Chillicothe Mudcats 6 (Game 2) 

Sedalia Bombers 14, Joplin Outlaws 10 (Game 2) 

Carroll Merchants 9, Nevada Griffons 1

Clarinda A’s 1, St. Joseph Mustangs 0

The MINK League Schedule for Thursday, July 20, 2023: 

Sedalia Bombers at Clarinda A’s – 7:00 PM 

Joplin Outlaws at Jefferson City Renegades – 7:00 PM 

Carroll Merchants at Nevada Griffons – 7:00 PM 

St. Joseph Mustangs at Chillicothe Mudcats – 7:00 PM