ST. JOSEPH Through the first five seasons of the Jefferson City Renegades’ short history, there were still a few milestones yet to be checked off.
But the Renegades completed the rest of the list in the last week, hosting and winning their first MINK League playoff game, winning their first South Division championship to punch their ticket to their first Championship Series and they capped it off by knocking off the three-time defending champion St. Joseph Mustangs to claim their first league title.
The Jefferson City Renegades were three outs away from their first MINK League title on two occasions, but the St. Joseph Mustangs found a way to prevail Friday night at Phil Welch Stadium. The Renegades led 2-1 headed into the bottom of the ninth, but the Mustangs plated a run to tie it and send the game to extra innings. And again in the 12th inning, Jefferson City led 3-2 before St. Joseph pushed across two runs to pick up a 4-3 walk-off victory in Game 2 of the MINK League Championship Series, setting up a winner-take-all Game 3 at 7 p.m. today.
For the first time in the organization’s six-season history, the Jefferson City Renegades are headed to the MINK League Championship Series. The Renegades punched their ticket by claiming the South Division championship Tuesday at the Joplin Outlaws, jumping out to a big lead early and then holding on late for a 9-5 victory.
Step 1 was securing a home MINK League playoff game for the Jefferson City Renegades. Step 2 was winning it. And the Renegades put together one of their most complete efforts of the season Monday night en route to a 9-4 first-round victory against the Sedalia Bombers at Vivion Field.
Step 1 was securing a home MINK League playoff game for the Jefferson City Renegades. Step 2 was winning it. And the Renegades put together one of their most complete efforts of the season Monday night en route to a 9-4 first-round victory against the Sedalia Bombers at Vivion Field.