ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — The St. Joseph Mustangs path toward their fifth MINK championship in seven years will feature 29 games at Phil Welch Stadium, a new league foe, and a four-game homestand surrounding the Fourth of July holiday.
The Mustangs, coming off a 27-15 record and a playoff appearance in 2016, will kick off the ninth season in franchise history on May 31 against the Midwest A’s. The bar was set high immediately one summer ago with 4,493 fans setting an opening night attendance record.
The first weekend of the season also brings in St. Joseph’s first MINK League opponent. Nevada, a perennial contender in the South Division, visits Phil Welch for an early-season game with high stakes. Similar to previous years, the Mustangs will host games every Friday and Saturday night throughout the summer.
Independence Day and fireworks also coincide with the Mustangs longest homestand of the summer. St. Joe plays four straight in its home ballpark, with the slate of games wrapping up on the Fourth of July against the defending MINK League Champ, Sedalia. The Bombers will be looking for redemption after Mustangs’ designated hitter Kyle Uhrich hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the eighth inning to seal a dramatic Independence Day win for St. Joe last season.
There will also be special holiday fireworks shows at the conclusion of games on July 1, July 3 and July 4.
The 2017 schedule also gives fans their first chance to see the newest MINK League team. The Jefferson City Renegades joined the league this off-season, and will play in the South Division. The Renegades will make their first-ever appearance at Phil Welch Stadium during a three-game series from July 13-15.
The Mustangs will also play in two doubleheaders throughout the season. The first will be at Ozark on June 13. Then, two days later, St. Joseph will host the Generals for a twinbill on June 15, with the first game starting at 5:30pm.
The postseason begins on July 26 with a new format for the MINK League Playoffs.
The opening round will feature the No. 2 and No. 3 team in each division facing off in a wild card game, with the winner moving on to meet their respective division winner in a one-game divisional playoff on July 27.
Winners of the divisional playoff advance to the best-of-three MINK League Championship Series on July 28.
All Mustangs’ home games will begin at 7pm unless stated otherwise.
To view the full schedule, click here.
— Mustangs Press Release —