With 12 games remaining in the final 12 days of the regular season, the Carroll Merchants hold a narrow lead over the Clarinda A's. (Photo courtesy Carroll Merchants)

Posted: Jul 14, 2026

Thrilling finish ahead as race toward MINK Playoffs tightens

As the dog days of summer set in across the Midwest, things have only tightened across the summer college baseball landscape.

All six spots, and an opening round bye for the top two seeds, are up for grabs in the MINK League with 12 days remaining in the regular season.

Carroll and Clarinda have battled back and forth for the top-seed in the upcoming six-team playoff, but Joplin and St. Joseph have put themselves in position to steal it late in July.

The Merchants (17-6, .739) are just percentage points ahead of the A's (18-7, .720) for the No. 1 spot. The two squads have split the first four regular season matchups evenly at two apiece, but the drama is building with their next two games set to be decided on the final day of the regular season. The June 30 contest was suspended due to weather in the bottom of the fourth inning with Carroll leading Clarinda 3-0. That game will be resumed on the final day of the regular season, July 25, at noon in Clarinda followed by the series finale.

Carroll and Clarinda's path to a bye in the Wild Card round isn't set, however, and the reigning champs will have a chance to push their way into one of the top spots.

St. Joseph didn't get off to its typical fast start, and sat at 8-10 in the MINK at the end of June. The Mustangs flipped a switch once the calendar turned to July winning nine of their last 10 league games, including eight in a row to jump back into contention.

Now just two and a half games back of both Carroll and Clarinda, St. Joe will have a chance to make up ground on both teams. The A's visit Phil Welch Stadium July 16 and July 24, while the Merchants play in St. Joseph July 17 and 18. The Mustangs are hoping a little late-season magic in their home ballpark where they own a 62-10 record dating back to 2024.

The Jailbirds haven't experienced the same surge that the Mustangs have over the last two weeks, but they haven't had to. After a four-game skid in mid-June, Joplin found its stride. The MINK newcomers have won 10 of their last 13 games to jump from a middling 6-6 mark to just two games back of a first round bye in their inaugural season.

While the pitching has been solid, Joplin is getting it done at the plate. The Jailbirds lead the MINK slugging .458 with 23 home runs, and they have the second-fewest strikeouts at 153 for the season trailing only Chillicothe.

There are also three teams fighting for the final two spots in the postseason.

Chillicothe sits in fifth, two games up on North Missouri and three ahead of Nevada.

The road won't be easy for the Mudcats, with five of their final nine games coming against Clarinda, St. Joseph and Joplin, but they can solidify their place in the top six with a three-game home series with the Griffons which includes a doubleheader July 15. They also play North Missouri in a single game July 20.

The Natty's have hit a wall late in their first season as a member of the MINK losing 10 of their last 12. The Griffons also hit a tough stretch with every game over the last two weeks coming against one of the top teams in the league.

Both teams will have a chance to separate itself when they face off in Kirksville July 17-19. Nevada won two of three at home over North Missouri in late June.

The MINK League Playoffs will begin Monday, July 27 with the No. 3 seed hosting No. 6 and the No. 4 seed playing at home against No. 5.

Current MINK Standings as of July 14

1. Carroll (17-6)
2. Clarinda (18-7)
3. Joplin (16-9)
4. St. Joseph (17-11)
5. Chillicothe (9-17)
6. North Missouri (7-19)
7. Nevada (6-20)