Drifters Drop Second Straight Series, Fall to Yakima Valley 4-6

Lane Community College infielder Jalen Riddle throws to first base for an out against the Yakima Valley Pippins on June 4th.

By Dillon Zamperin

SPRINGFIELD — The rubber match of the second series of the year between the Springfield Drifters (1-5, 1-5) and the Yakima Valley Pippins (4-2, 4-2) was certainly an exciting and also disappointing back-and-forth affair.

Despite Springfield’s several attempts at making a comeback, the Drifters couldn’t match the firepower brought on by the Pippins’ offense, dropping the final game of the series 6-4. The loss was the Drifters’ fifth in their last six games.

“It’s a tough one. We’re starting to put things together defensively and on the mound,” Head Coach Jeff Lyle said. “A positive right now is our pitching staff is doing everything they possibly can to keep us in games, so offensively, it will come around again.”

The Pippins started their rally in the seventh inning, when left fielder Garren Gooler hit a moonshot over the left field fence that gave Yakima Valley a one-run lead. Yakima Valley tacked on an insurance run on a double by catcher Parker Burt. 

At the plate, sophomore left fielder Brody Buhr from Bushnell University was one of the main sources of offense in the Drifters' lineup, recording a single, double and walk in three plate appearances. He scored the last Springfield run in the fourth inning, following an error by Pippins’ shortstop, Derek Almeda.

First baseman Nolan Miller from the University of Portland reached base three times in five plate appearances, bringing a significant boost to his on-base percentage. Miller, now in his third year with the Drifters, was hit-by-a-pitch twice, walked once and scored one run in the loss.

“I’m great with Nolan getting on base. Anytime that we have LJ or we have somebody behind him that’s going to drive in runs,” Lyle said. “We know that these trends that we’re going on right now won’t last forever. We will come out of them.”

One Drifter with a big hit was catcher LJ Layhew, who had a game-tying double in the third inning, tying the game at two apiece. Layhew struggled the rest of the night at the plate, however, going 1-for-5 in an otherwise less-than-ideal game.

After the fourth inning, Yakima Valley’s pitchers quieted the hot bats of the Drifters’ offense and settled in quickly. In the remaining five innings, the Pippins allowed just two hits and struck out six Springfield batters en route to their win.

Additionally, despite three errors from the Pippins defense that resulted in three runs for the Drifters, Springfield could not capitalize in the aftermath. In total, the Drifters left 11 runners on base, another double-digit total for a Drifters’ offense in need of runs.

“Something that we pride ourselves on is a punch back; they score, we score, we score, they don’t score. Having the ability to punch back is great,” Lyle said. “Now, we go add some shutdown innings in it, and then we’re able to score, and they don't, and that’s where the momentum will change.”

Jake Klee started the game for the Drifters but didn’t have as strong a start as his teammates in the first two games of the series. Klee went just four innings, allowing four runs but only two earned. After getting the Opening Day start on Friday, Klee struggled to replicate his success that night, striking out just two on Thursday.

Harris relieved Klee and initially came out of the bullpen on fire, striking out four batters in his first two innings. It wasn’t until his third inning of work that the right-hander ran into trouble, allowing the go-ahead home run that sealed the Drifters’ fate.

“He’s still got a few rhythm and timing things in the delivery that are going on, but he’s a bulldog, and we are excited about the path he’s trending right now,” Lyle said.

Andrew Miller handled the final two frames, dazzling with high heat and four strikeouts in his first outing since Sunday. He continues to be a reliable arm in the bullpen for the Drifters’ staff.

The Drifters will look to turn it around on Friday night when they take on the reigning WCL Champions, Bellingham Bells, at Hamlin Sports Complex. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

“We’re playing against the game. That’s one of the issues that we still have. We’re not worried about what they do; we’re worried about executing our game,” Lyle said. “We’re not playing the Bellingham Bells of last year or this year; we’re playing against ourselves.” 

Help us Knock Cancer Out of the Park on Friday. Join us as we celebrate survivors, remember loved ones lost, raise funds and spread awareness at the ballpark with our partners from Relay for Life. The Drifters will take the field in a limited edition Knock Cancer Out of the Park jersey, which will be auctioned off after the game with proceeds going to local Relay for Life teams. Special merchandise will be available with proceeds supporting local Relay for Life teams.

Tickets for Friday’s game can be bought online at Driftersbaseball.com. The game will be streamed on theSpringfield Drifters YouTube Channel.