A devastating 18 hits from the first-place St. Joseph Mustangs put away the Chillicothe Mudcats 16-5 on Thursday night in a seven-inning run-rule.
Attempting to win their fifth consecutive game, and split the season series with the Mustangs, Chillicothe took the lead in the top of the first inning. Jarian Pinckney hit a leadoff single, and made it all the way around the bases to make it 1-0 Mudcats.
That was the only time Chillicothe held a lead, as Blake Exizian surrendered two runs in the bottom of the first. St. Joseph scored two more in the second to knock Exizian out of the game in his shortest start of the season.
Max Wagers entered to start the third in his first relief appearance this summer, and was ambushed by the Mustangs. The first four batters of the inning reached base, and they all scored to further St. Joseph’s lead 8-1.
That damage was only the half of it. The Mustangs scored at least a run in every inning, and led 16-2 headed into the seventh.
St. Joseph needed just three more outs with at least a 10-run lead to end the night early, but the Mudcats showed some late fight. They scored three runs, and had the bases loaded with one out before a Mustangs pitching change.
The next two batters struck out to end the game. It was the first time the Mudcats were run-ruled this season, and the loss clinched the season series for St. Joseph.
Still in striking distance in third place, Chillicothe will have Friday and Saturday off. They will visit Carroll for the first time on Sunday.
Winning Pitcher: Ashton Nance (2-0)
Losing Pitcher: Blake Exizian: (1-1)
Time of Game: 2:39
