The Chillicothe Mudcats lose to the Joplin Jailbirds in a slugfest in Game Two of the MINK League Championship Series on Friday night, ultimately finishing as the runner-up in the MINK League.
The Mudcats took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, after that Chillicothe did not have a lead the rest of the game.
Joplin put up a big four spot in the bottom of the fourth and took a 4-1 lead.
The Mudcats struck for two on a two-run home run from Ryder McClain to make it 4-3 in the top of the second. Joplin responded right back with a five spot in the bottom half of the frame and it was 9-3 after two innings.
The Jailbirds added a two spot in the bottom of the third to make it 11-3.
The Mudcats, however, responded with a couple of big innings in the top of the fourth and fifth. Three runs in the top of the fourth, and five in the top of the fifth for Chillicothe made it a closer game, however sandwiched in-between those two Mudcat big innings was a four run bottom of the fourth for Joplin. The score after those three frames was 15-11 in favor of the Jailbirds.
That would be the closest the ball game got the rest of the way.
A run in the seventh and three in the eighth gave the Jailbirds a 19-11 lead going into the ninth.
The Jailbirds made quick work of the Mudcats in the top of the ninth and Joplin are the 2026 MINK League Champions.
The Mudcats finish as the second place team in the MINK League, and what a playoff run it was for the Mudcats. Chillicothe completed two massive upsets on Monday and Tuesday to reach the MINK League Championship Series in the first place, but unfortunately run into a buzz saw in the Joplin Jailbirds in the championship series.
Still, an excellent finish for the Mudcats as the MINK League Runner-Up, and a season they can depart from with their heads held high.