Drifters Series Win Streak Snapped vs Raptors

(Photo by Isaac Abrego)

By Henry Light

SPRINGFIELD – Springfield’s 10-run, 14-hit performance in their final game against Ridgefield wasn’t enough as the Drifters fell to the Raptors 12-10 in the third straight slugfest between the two teams.

The Drifters (21-29, 19-23) kept the game close through two-way stardom from Nolan Miller (3-for-5, 3 RBIs) and Zach Story (3-for-5, 3 RBIs, 2 2B), but a Ridgefield power surge of four home runs proved to be too much to overcome for Springfield. With the series loss to Ridgefield, Springfield’s playoff hopes took a drastic hit going into the closing series against Bend.

“Lately, I haven't felt like we've ever been out of a game because of what we can do offensively,” Drifters head coach Jeff Lyle said. “A play or two different, a pitch or two — a lot of what ifs,  but it was a hard-fought game, and I felt like we had good energy and really good effort, and we punched back when we needed to.”

The Drifters extended their streak of first-inning runs to six games on a line-drive RBI single by Miller to tie the game at one after Ridgefield scored in the top half of the inning.

“Just having veterans at the top of the lineup, and guys that see pitches, guys that are able to relay information, and worried about just getting to the next guy and aren't too worried about their own stats,” Lyle said.

Ridgefield pulled far ahead of the Drifters with a five-spot in the second inning, but Springfield showed signs of a response by loading the bases in the bottom of the inning. Miller fueled a defensive turnaround at first base by diving to stop inning-ending ground balls in the second and third innings.

“It's weird to say, but, like, those are the things you expect out of Nolan Miller,” Lyle said. “I mean, loud barrels; Defensively, he's getting better and better at first base every single day, and he's also a guy that we can run out in the outfield if we need to, so he's just super valuable. I like watching the guys’ excitement when Nolan does something.”

Miller picked up his second single of the game in the third with a hard-hit ball up the middle, moving Cooper Mullens to second base after his own single. A two-out double by Story cut Ridgefield’s lead to 6-3.

“Not to toot my own horn, but I've been bragging in the dugout that it's gonna come around for him. I've been telling Coach Stiles every time that it's gonna come around,” Lyle said. “I know he's not having the year, numbers-wise, he wants to, but you would never know it. He's taking care of the things he needs to take care of, and then the game takes care of him for that.”

Story collected all three outs of the away fourth inning by himself at third base, turning a double play with a throw to first after jumping to catch a line drive and ending the inning by running through a slow ground ball and firing it to first.

After Springfield came up empty in the fourth inning, Ridgefield extended its lead to 10-3 in a two-homer fifth inning.

The Drifters’ response came quicker this time — though it came with two outs again. LJ Layhew, Evan Thomas, Story and Elliott Brown each gave Springfield four consecutive doubles to push across three runs. 

“With the guys that we have in our lineup, we are always within a swing of getting right back in it, and it shows when we went barrel, barrel, barrel, and right back in the game, and you can see the momentum switch,” Lyle said.

Springfield closed the gap to 11-10 in the sixth inning as Mullens and Miller capitalized on shaky pitching with back-to-back doubles. 

The Drifters’ pitchers kept the game within reach down the stretch, but the offense ran out to solidify the series loss.

Springfield opens a three-game home series against Bend on Aug 3. The games can be streamed on the Drifters’ YouTube channel or on the WCL Live app for free.

Come out on Monday for Augtober Fest at Hamlin Sports Complex, with six local breweries tabling and doing tastings on the main concourse with the purchase of a specialty ticket. Fans who purchase a taster ticket will also receive a Falling Sky Brewing x Drifters specialty glass. Tickets are available online at Driftersbaseball.com.