SPRINGFIELD – The season’s not over, but there’s reason to celebrate for the Springfield Millers softball team. From 2012-23, Springfield averaged 1.5 wins per season, and had four winless seasons. This season, though, the Millers are up to seven wins after going 3-3 in their last six games.
“It’s been extremely fun. It’s fun seeing these girls, some of them have been here since COVID, and now it’s all just rolling together,” fourth-year coach Jessica Branson said. “It’s just been awesome to see what we’ve been able to produce this year.”
The Millers took down Ashland last Tuesday 10-3 to win their 7th game of the season – the program’s most since 2011 (8 wins). Freshman pitcher Lillian Wobbe pitched the full game and had 8 Ks, while Reagan Kumle had a 3-run double to lead the offense.
“(Reagan) has been a dominant player for us, and she really consistently has made plays for us,” Branson said. “She is very competitive at playing shortstop, so she really takes that role seriously.”
Wobbe’s introduction to the program has been the exact boost Springfield needed, and the right-hander is up to 100 Ks on the season.
“(Lillian)’s been phenomenal coming in as a freshman. I think she had only one walk today and eight strikeouts, so she just kept holding them. We had a couple three ups and three downs too which was perfect,” Branson said. “She has really good composure, and I rarely have to go out and call time. The girls support her really well too, which I think helps her – being that freshman and getting supported by those upperclassmen is huge.”
Another reason for the Millers to celebrate is their new indoor hitting facility, which was finished just before spring break. Branson said the facility has been a “morale-booster” for the program, and she sees them using it much more heading into next season.
“We have been utilizing it to the fullest, and it’s been an amazing thing for us to be able to have. I think that it’s just gonna keep contributing to what we have, and keep this program trying to be successful,” she said. “Especially with, you know, Oregon rainy days, we can’t get out here and do that. So it’s been a great asset to have that hitting facility because they’re really hitting well now.”
With only two weeks left in the season, Springfield has a chance for more history. With three wins in its final two series’ against No. 12 Eagle Point and No. 11 Thurston, Springfield can achieve its first double-digit win season since 2010, and only its fifth this century.
“We just have been so much more dynamic in different places; we’ve really gotten the spots filled to where it’s just all coming together. Having Lily has tremendously helped us, and our brand new batting facility has helped us also,” Branson said. “We’re gonna just keep rolling. We’re gonna keep rolling, keep that energy up, and keep those bats rolling.”
To see the Springfield softball team’s first visit to their new facility, visit: youtube.com/watch?v=gHymjirP-2c.
