MINK League Playoffs, adjusted postseason format on display next week

The St. Joseph Mustangs secured the MINK League regular season title and the No. 1 seed in the playoffs next week with a dramatic 6-5 win over the Clarinda A's on Thursday.

The A's are closing in on securing the second bye in the first round of the playoffs if they can hold off a charge from the Jefferson City Renegades. Clarinda has a two-game lead in the win column over Jefferson City for the No. 2 seed.

The final seeding for the six-team playoff will be sorted out during the final regular season games this weekend.

The MINK adjusted its playoff format in March when Joplin announced a change in ownership and its exit from the league. The new bracket gives first-round byes to the top two seeds. The one-game wild card round will pit the No. 3 seed at home against the No. 6 seed, and the No. 4 seed will host the No. 5 seed. The semifinal round, also a one-game playoff, will send lowest seed still alive to face the No. 1 seed, while the other remaining opponent will travel to play the No. 2 seed (e.g., No. 1 would host No. 6, while No. 2 would host No. 4).

The MINK League Championship will be a best-of-three series. Game one will be played on the lower seed's home field. Games two and three (if necessary) will be hosted by the higher seed.

MINK League Playoff Schedule