Drifters Lose First Series of the Season to Elks as Late-Inning Rallies Fall Short
Ryland Detzler looks to throw to first during practice at Fan Fest and Media Day.
By Dillon Zamperin
BEND — Despite recording 11 hits on Saturday night, the Drifters left 11 runners on base in an 8-5 loss to the Bend Elks, marking the second straight night with a similar theme after the opening day loss on Friday night. With Saturday’s loss, the Drifters have now lost the series, the first time they’ve lost a series to the Elks since June 2024.
With the Elks making five errors and allowing six walks, there were plenty of opportunities for Springfield to capitalize and score runs, but the absence of a hit to break open a game proved costly in the tough loss.
“We’re just not getting the big timely hit yet, which we will. It’s a positive note getting that many guys on base. We’re having lots of traffic and lots of opportunities to score,” Head Coach Jeff Lyle said. “We just need to get that big hit and capitalize. I think once we do, that becomes contagious and our offense will start rolling.”
On the mound, returning Drifter Kaden Harris had a rough go, allowing three of his four earned runs in the first inning. He failed to make it past the fourth inning, letting up seven hits, four walks and a wild pitch that scored the first run of the game.
“He wasn’t Kaden. He wasn’t feeling well [and] he didn’t have good command,” Lyle said. “But he went out and competed. He set the tone by just being a bulldog and going about his business with his C or D stuff. That’s what we’re really proud of. That’s all we can ask.”
Sonny Pena replaced Harris in the fourth inning and had a solid outing. Across four innings pitched, he let up four runs, but was efficient, throwing just 56 pitches while striking out five and giving much-needed rest to a small bullpen. Andrew Miller replaced the right-hander, throwing a quick eighth inning and striking out one batter.
Following a clean sixth inning by Pena, the top of the seventh was looking promising for the Drifters’ offense. A single by Mana Heffernan gave Springfield hope, but the momentum was quickly shut down when he was caught stealing. Still, base hits by LJ Layhew and Peyton Tyner had Springfield geared up for success once again. On the first pitch of the next at-bat, Jalen Riddle lined a single up the middle as Layhew took off for the plate. Layhew was tagged out, ending what looked to be a promising inning and a rally for the Drifters.
As for Tyner, he followed a big game on Friday night with another one on Saturday, recording three hits, one run and one walk. Riddle had his first hits of the season, with two in the affair, after striking out in a pinch-hit opportunity on Friday.
“With having the bottom of the order being able to hit and contribute, drive in runs and do some things for us, we just got to get the top going a little more,” Lyle said. “You never know, Peyton could end up our 2, 3 or 4 hitter. He’s still young, and I would just like to keep a little pressure off him, [but] I don’t think there’s anyone in the league who can beat him with their fastball.”
The Drifters had another opportunity in the eighth inning as bases were loaded with just one out. Heffernan flew out in what appeared to be a sacrifice fly until Ryland Detzler took off for third base and was tagged out, ending yet another rally.
Detzler still finished the night, reaching base three times and recording two RBIs. Another key contributor on offense was Aiden Gebhard, who scored two of the eight Drifter runs on one hit and one walk.
The Drifters and Elks will wrap up their three-game series Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m., as Blake Stavros takes the mound in the finale. The game will be streamed on the Bend Elks YouTube channel.