In the opening game of the 2025 M.I.N.K. League season, the Chillicothe Mudcats found themselves on the wrong end of a pitchers duel, losing to the Nevada Griffons 4-1 on Friday night at Shaffer Park. Fifth-year Mudcat Koby Linder pitched five innings allowing three runs with just one earned. But even better were the Griffons, who received 5.2 innings of one-run baseball from Amari Berry, before passing it off to Kenny Jennings for a 3.1 inning save.
The Mudcats had no problem generating base runners, as they tallied five hits and five walks in the loss. First baseman Ethan Murakoshi was also hit by a pitch on two occasions. Their issue was driving them in, Chillicothe stranded 13 total base runners in the game.
They left two men aboard in the second, third, and ninth innings. In the sixth, they loaded the bases with back-to-back walks and a hit-by-pitch to chase the starter Berry from the game. The slippery right-hander Jennings came in with two out and retired Peyton Becker with a deep fly ball to center to end the threat.
Defensively, Chillicothe committed three errors, two of which came around to score. But there were plenty of exciting moments with the leather as well. Rafael Calcaño made several tremendous plays from the hole at shortstop, and right fielder Jordi Ventura robbed a hit with a full-extension Superman-like dive in the fourth inning.
Nevada begins their season 1-0 after a last-place finish in 2024, while the Mudcats start their summer 0-1. Chillicothe will have Saturday and Sunday off, before returning to Shaffer Park with a tilt against Jefferson City on Monday night.
Winning Pitcher: Amari Berry (1-0)
Losing Pitcher: Koby Linder (0-1)
Save: Kenny Jennings (1)
Time of Game: 2:34