Drifters Shut Out Pippins 3-0 to Win First Game of 2026

Drifters RHP Tristan Ledbetter

By: Dillon Zamperin

SPRINGFIELD — In the first game at Hamlin Sports Complex in 2026, Tristan Ledbetter and the Springfield Drifters (1-3, 1-3) did not disappoint, overpowering the Yakima Valley Pippins (2-2, 2-2) 3-0 in a dominant pitching performance.

“Our expectations were realistically if he could go get us three innings, we’d be able to move on,” Head Coach Jeff Lyle said. “He was absolutely lights out with eight punchies through five innings. He exceeded our expectations.”

Ledbetter, a junior from Umpqua Community College, quickly shut down the Pippins across five strong innings. The right-hander gave up just one hit on 68 pitches, while striking out eight batters and allowing no walks. His five shutout innings helped the Drifters achieve their first win of the season. 

“Everything felt really good. I just kept throwing different pitches and was consistently in the zone,” Ledbetter said. “It’s a great atmosphere to pitch in front of all these guys.”

His controlling outing was highlighted by his ability to keep runners off the basepaths. After allowing the second batter of the game to reach base, no Pippin would see the bases until after Ledbetter was taken out. He was credited with the win, his first as a Drifter this season.

Vanguard University left-handed reliever Colton Perez fell perfectly in line behind Ledbetter, preserving the shutout. Perez threw the next two innings and struck out the side in the seventh inning.

Second-year Drifter Michael Klein bounced back in a huge way following the loss he suffered against the Bend Elks on Sunday. On Tuesday night, Klein earned the two-inning save and, similar to Perez, struck out the side in the ninth, ending the game.

“Michael’s just a bulldog, so after his last outing, we know he has a short memory,” Lyle said. “He came off after the eighth and said, ‘This is my game.’ When you have that kind of confidence, and you want the ball, most of the time, we’re going to let you back out.”

On offense, junior outfielder Nolan Miller from the University of Portland and a third-year Drifter secured his first hit in his first game in the 5th inning with a single that ricocheted off the shortstop’s glove. The decorated Drifter finished the night going 1-for-4.

“Nolan’s a game-changer. It’s not often that guys sit out for a few weeks, and they come right back in and start in the three hole,” Lyle said. “He’s one of the veterans on this team, and it was really cool seeing him back today.”

Graduate outfielder Aiden Gebhard, in his third season with the Drifters, led the game off with a single before advancing to second on a single by sophomore infielder Jalen Riddle and stealing third during the next at-bat. Riddle then proceeded to steal second, which gave Gebhard the perfect opportunity to take home and score the first run of the game. Riddle and Gebhard each ended the night with one hit and one walk, with the latter of the two recording an RBI on a sacrifice fly.

“We’re not scared to make an out running,” Lyle said. “We stole 130 bases last season, so guys are free to run. We want to take advantage of as many bases stolen as possible. We like to wreak havoc and roll the dice a little bit.”

The Drifters totaled five stolen bases in the win, the most in a game this season. Gebhard leads the team with six bags and is tied for the lead in the WCL with Sawyer Nelson of the Marion Berries. Springfield also had seven hits in the rout over Yakima Valley.

“I think our identity is that we can do anything at any time tonight,” Lyle said. “We can hit the ball in the gap, we can run, [and] we can do some things that I think will benefit us down the road.”

The Pippins and Drifters will play the second of the three-game series on Wednesday night at Hamlin Sports Complex. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

Wednesday is Little League Night, and all Little League players and coaches will receive free General Admission when registering through this link. All teams that are registered for and attend Drifters Little League Night will be entered to win an exclusive batting practice and Field of Dreams experience with the Drifters coaches and players at a future game.

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