Nick Gimino Returns to Springfield for Another Stint
(Photo by Ella Poor)
By Dillon Zamperin
On June 7, Nick Gimino’s 10-day contract with the Springfield Drifters was up. As he took the 50-minute drive back to his hometown of Corvallis, he knew this would not be the last time he would play at Hamlin Sports Complex with the Drifters.
One month and two days later, Gimino returned to the field at shortstop against the Walla Walla Sweets, walking three times and scoring two runs in the 11-5 win.
“I wanted to come back. I knew that and [Head Coach Jeff] Lyle knew that,” Gimino said. “I got a text from him saying, ‘We’re down on guys. Want to come back?’ And yeah, you can never go wrong with getting more reps. It’s a great spot to play every day.”
In his now third stint with Springfield over the last two years, Gimino gained a large chunk of his talent and skills during his time at Crescent Valley High School.
Despite not being a major factor during the 2022 season, Gimino became a state champion in 2022, defeating rival Lebanon High School in the 5A Mid-Willamette League Championship game.
In his next season as a junior, he was the primary source of offense on the field for the Raiders. Gimino hit a whopping .436 with 12 of his 34 hits going for extra bases. His season-long star-studded performance was enough to earn him second-team All-Mid-Willamette League honors and turn the heads of many schools looking to recruit him.
One of the schools was Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, the school he would ultimately commit to before his senior high school season in 2024.
“It was awesome. The facilities there are great, and it’s a great program,” Gimino said. “[The team] is stacked and it shows how they run their program.”
With his commitment in the books and a junior season to build off of, all that was left was to try to match what he did the previous year, which he did. Across 30 games, he did that and more, becoming one of the most feared hitters in all of Oregon.
Gimino hit over .400 once again, with two home runs, 11 doubles and 25 RBIs. He posted a massive .481 on-base percentage and slugged .652 for another career year with the Raiders. He was also very good on the mound and even pitched alongside current Drifter teammate Jake Fritz.
“I kind of grew up with him, and we still hang out outside of the Drifters. He’s a great guy,” Gimino said. “He's going to San Diego Mesa [and] it’s gonna be a great spot for him. I’m excited to see what he does.”
Gimino and Fritz helped lead their squad to a 23-7 record during Gimino’s senior season and even won the 5A Mid-Willamette League title. He did all this while earning a spot on the Oregon 5A All-State Team and All-Mid Willamette Valley Conference.
Even with his immense success in high school, Gimino did not see the field during his freshman season at Cal Poly. Instead, he redshirted the season and chose to enter the transfer portal in hopes of finding a new home where he would play more. While searching for a new team, he joined the Drifters during the 2025 summer and rediscovered his success at the plate after nearly a year of not playing.
“I redshirted that year, which taught me a lot about who I am as a player and just trying to adjust to the game,” Gimino said. “After that, I came here and played a lot of games, and that was great to get into the actual college baseball swing of things.”
In 22 games with Springfield last year, Gimino hit .246 with three doubles and eight RBIs. He became even better during the second half of the season, recording at least one hit in eight of his final 10 games.
On June 24, 2025, Gimino committed to Oregon Tech and spent his first season with the Owls this spring. Just like his previous stops, he was a force to be reckoned with in the box.
“It was an adjustment weather-wise and program-wise, but you get used to it. I got to play there every day, thanks to Coach Walker,” Gimino said. “He just taught me how to carry myself every day as a baseball player.”
In 52 games, Gimino recorded 69 hits and had an impressive .362 batting average. He stole nine bases, hit six doubles, three triples and three home runs, including one against the College of Idaho during the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) Tournament, lifting the Owls to victory.
The middle infielder also scored 37 runs and had 45 RBIs in a fantastic redshirt freshman season. It was enough to earn him a couple of honors, including Oregon Tech’s “Male Athlete Rookie of the Year” and First Team All-CCC. He was so good at the plate that he reached base safely in 42 of his 50 starts and recorded a hit in 42 of the 52 games he played in.
All that success led to this summer with the Drifters, when he originally signed a 10-day contract with Springfield in May. On July 9, Gimino rejoined the team and has been a spark in the lineup and on the scoreboard. His success is currently perfectly aligned with the Drifters as he looks to guide Springfield to its first postseason appearance in the franchise’s five-year history.
“Hoping to get as many reps as possible and get used to the pitching here,” Gimino said. “The West Coast League has some of the best pitching in the country for summer ball, so just getting acclimated to that will make it easier for me when I come back in the fall and get after it again.
Whether it’s at Hamlin Sports Complex or on any other baseball diamond, Gimino knows how to slow the game down and shine on the field for his team.
“I’m just trying to take it one day at a time,” Gimino said.