Carroll Merchants Star Weller Named MINK League Player of the Week

The Carroll Merchants are making noise in the MINK League this summer, and one of their own is leading the charge. Sam Weller, a Webb City, Missouri native who made the trip north to Iowa, was named MINK League Player of the Week after a dominant stretch at the plate that helped Carroll rack up five consecutive wins.

Merchants Take Game 1 Before Weather Suspends Series

Carroll opened its two-game series against the Joplin Jailbirds on Wednesday with a hard-fought 10-9 victory. The Merchants couldn't finish the job Thursday night, though, as lightning suspended Game 2 with Joplin leading 3-0 heading into the top of the third inning. The suspended game leaves the bragging rights between these two MINK League contenders unresolved for now.

Fans won't have to wait long for a rematch. The two teams will square off again in a three-game set July 14-16 in Carroll, followed by a single game July 21 at Joe Becker Stadium in Joplin.

A Homecoming With a Twist

This week's series carried extra meaning for Weller, a Webb City High School alum. Looking across the diamond, he saw five former Cardinal teammates now wearing Jailbirds jerseys: Cohen Epler, Drew Vonder Harr, Mason Williams, Kaylor Darnell and Cy Darnell.

Despite the friendly faces on the other side, Weller said the familiarity makes the competition more enjoyable.