Ledbetter Wins WCL Pitcher of the Week Award

Tristan Ledbetter pitching for the Drifters on Saturday June 8th. (Photo by Alan Fox)

SPRINGFIELD — On Monday, the West Coast League announced that Springfield Drifters right-handed pitcher Tristan Ledbetter has been named the Baker Tilly Pitcher of the Week following the first full week of games in the 2026 season.

Ledbetter, who just wrapped up his second season of baseball at Umpqua Community College, was nearly unhittable in two appearances for the Drifters. The Green, Oregon, native started the home opener against the Yakima Valley Pippins on Tuesday, firing five shutout innings while striking out eight and only allowing one hit to earn the win. Four days later, Ledbetter came out of the bullpen and threw three more shutout innings against the Bellingham Bells in the Drifters’ 9-8 extra-innings win, striking out two. Ledbetter finished the week with 10 strikeouts and no walks, while only giving up three hits across eight scoreless innings.

The Drifters depart for a six-game road trip beginning on Tuesday, with three games against the Wenatchee AppleSox and three against the Victoria HarbourCats. The Drifters trip to Victoria is the first time since 2024 that the Drifters will play north of the border. All six games will be streamed on the WCL Live App.

Springfield will return home on June 17 for a non-league game against the Cascade Collegiate League All-Star Team. Tickets are available online at Driftersbaseball.com.