A year after ending 2011 as the league's worst team, the Neepawa Farmers are finding themselves in a position to take the MSBL's 2012 season title.
But, with six games left, the squad still has plenty of ball to play before that happens.

Included in the games remaining will be a crucial doubleheader against last year's season champions, and current second place squad, the Reston Rockets; winning both games - or losing both - may seal the Farmers chances for the season title.

In the meantime, Neepawa has already made noticeable improvements compared to last year's season.

With a league-leading 10-4 record, the Farmers have already guaranteed improvement compared to its dismal season in 2011 where the team finished the year 7-13.

The team's offensive output is one of the biggest upgrades over last year, as this season's squad has already amassed 88 runs for, while 2011 season total was 78 runs for.

The team is also slightly better defensively, averaging about 4.1 runs per game compared to 2011's average of 3.9.

Neepwa's sole game in Week 6 only helped boost those numbers.

Marlins 5 - Farmers 10

Neepawa unleashed its bats last Tuesday night at home en route to crushing the Brandon Marlins 10-5.

After ending the first inning tied at 1-1, the Farmers took their first lead of the game by bringing in two runs in the third and another in the fourth.

The Marlins hit in two runners in the top of the fifth to tighten the score at 4-3, but Neepawa unleashed its offense in the bottom of the inning to bring in six runs and put the game out of the reach.

Brandon brought in two more runs in the seventh to finish out the scoring at 10-5 in Neepawa's favour.

Vince Lujan was a force on both the mound and plate in the game, earning the win by allowing only three runs on four hits and five strikeouts in five innings pitched, while batting 4-for-5 with three runs and one RBI.

Matt Lowry batted 2-for-3 with a triple, run and two RBIs and Eddie Malone hit for two RBIs and one run for strong offensive nights. Isaac Rodriguez, Jason Vinnell and Daylon Creasy each added single RBIs.

Tyler Reiner pitched the sixth to eighth innings, allowing two runs on four hits while Rodriguez closed out the game without allowing a hit.

Neepawa returned to action last night against the Oak River Dodgers and travel to Brandon Friday to face off against the Brandon Cloverleafs.

As mentioned, the Farmers finish the week by hosting a doubleheader against the Reston Rockets that could decide who finishes atop the standings in 2012. The games start at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.