The Chillicothe Mudcats’ 2024 season came to a close on Tuesday night, as the Mudcats lost the MINK Divisional Championship game to the Clarinda A’s on the road, 12-2. The A’s used a six run sixth inning to seal the deal, as they advanced to their first MINK League Championship since 2013.
The game finished in seven innings, making it the first time the Mudcats have lose to an opposing team via run rule this season. It also means that the Mudcats come up one game short of advancing to the MINK League Championship series for the first time in 14 years.
Clarinda got the scoring started in the bottom of the first, scoring a run on a bases loaded hit by pitch, but the A’s left the bases loaded. Chillicothe used back to back walks in the top of the second to move a run in to score, as Justin Dameron’s groundout scored Sammy Cruz to make it 1-1.
However, Clarinda had their first of two big innings on the night in the bottom of the second, scoring three runs, all unearned, on three hits in the bottom of the second, making it 4-1. That would be the last inning for Chillicothe starting pitcher on the night, Josiah Golden.
Chillicothe would get a run back in the top of the third, as Hunter Shoulta’s RBI single capped a two out rally and made the score 4-2. It was Shoulta’s fourth hit in this year’s playoffs. However, Clarinda restored their three run advantage by scoring in the bottom of the fourth, making it 5-2.
The key for the A’s was the bottom of the sixth inning, an inning that felt like the worst case scenario for the Mudcats. Clarinda’s elite offense exploded for six runs in the frame, using three consecutive RBI base hits in the frame and a Mudcats error to make the score 11-2. They faced three of Chillicothe’s best relief pitchers during the inning, and took a comfortable lead in the process.
The A’s would end the game early after Tyler Macon’s RBI single scored Conner McKnatt in the bottom of the seventh. The win sends Clarinda to the MINK League Championship Series, where they will face off in a best two out of three series against the top seeded St. Joseph Mustangs, which will begin Thursday.
Chillicothe’s season comes to an end in an unfortunate way, but there were still a ton of incredible positives to take away from the 2024 season. Mudcats assistant coach Trey Rassenfoss gave his input on the game and the season during the postgame show last night on the difficult final night of the season for the Mudcats.
Chillicothe finishes with an overall record of the 2024 season of 21-24. The team made the playoffs for the first time since 2021, and also won a playoff game for the first time since 2019. For more about the Chillicothe Mudcats and other local sports teams in the Chillicothe area, check out the local sports reports on KCHI or check online at KCHI.com.
