By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
The St. Joseph Mustangs forced a decisive game three in the MINK League championship series, defeating the Clarinda A's 5-3 in St. Joseph on Friday night.
The Mustangs took the first lead of the game in the second inning, left fielder Noah Bodenhausen, a Savannah alum, hit a two RBI single scoring Jordan Black and Trevor McCollum.
But the A's would snatch that lead in the top of the third scoring three runs when designated hitter Conner McKnatt would drive in one and then one at bat later first baseman Drake Cobb would reach on an error from shortstop Mason Holton and drive in two runs.
St. Joseph would tie the game up however in the bottom half of the inning, first baseman Jeter Mauzey hitting a solo home, his first of the postseason and third overall on the season.
The Mustangs would go on to take the lead in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly from Holton, scoring second baseman Carson Schrack. St. Joseph would add on one final run in the eighth, a solo home run off the bat of Holton, it was also his first home run of the postseason.
Mustangs starting pitcher Sam Pitts would shut the A's down the remainder of the way in the run column, allowing only two more hits through his final four innings of work. Pitts pitched seven innings and struck out four and giving up six hits while walking two, earning the win.
Jase Johnson earned the save pitching the final two innings of the game, giving up two hits and striking out two batters.
The MINK League championship will now be decided on Saturday at 7pm at Phil Welch Stadium. It's the second straight season the Mustangs will search for their ninth title in a decisive game three after falling to Jefferson City last year.
For the A's, the MINK's longest tenured organization, they are looking to snap an 11-year title drought. The A's last won the championship in 2013.