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Bombers breeze through MINK League playoffs, secure second crown in three seasons
The Sedalia Bombers were the best team in the MINK League from start to finish this season.
After winning the MINK North division by a decisive 7.5 games, and concluding with a league-best 26-16 regular-season mark — the Bombers proceeded to sweep through the MINK League playoffs en route to their second crown in three seasons, and third since 2010.
Sedalia opened postseason play with a 10-1 drubbing of the Clarinda (Iowa) A’s in the single-elimination divisional championship game, July 26 at Liberty Park Stadium.
The victory propelled the Bombers to the best-of-three MINK League Championship Series, and a showdown with South division champion, Ozark Generals. Ozark advanced with an 8-5 victory over Jefferson City.
With the league’s top regular-season record, Sedalia elected to play Friday’s best-of-three opener on the road in Springfield, as the series would then move back to Sedalia for games two and three (if necessary).
Led by clean-up hitter Santiago Garcia’s splendid 5-for-5, three RBI performance, the Bombers edged Ozark 8-6 Friday night, grabbing a 1-0 series lead.
The Bombers then put the finishing touches on their memorable season Saturday night, drilling the Generals 9-0. Sedalia broke open a scoreless contest with a pair of runs in the third, and then tacked on three in the sixth and four in the eighth.
On the mound Sedalia starter Dakota Stone dazzled, tossing seven scoreless frames, while allowing just three hits and fanning seven batters.
The Bombers dominated the MINK League in several offensive categories this season, including run-differential (90). In addition, Garcia drove in a league-leading 50 RBI.
One of the few teams to have success against Sedalia this season was the Nevada Griffons. Nevada won the season series against Sedalia — taking four out of six contests, which accounted for 25 percent of the Bombers total losses.
“The group of guys we have are the highest character guys we’ve ever had,” said Sedalia skipper Craig McAndrews, via the Sedalia Democrat. “I keep saying it but character goes a long, long ways.”