SPRINGFIELD – The Drifters wrapped up their third season this week, and coach Alan Embree said the team sought to improve until the very end. While the team can’t improve on its win total from last season, Embree said his focus was on finishing strong.
“I think you’ve gotta take it game by game,” Embree said after the Drifters’ 4-2 victory against Bend on Aug. 1. “I think under the circumstances this team has come together.”
Wednesday doesn’t just mark the end of the Drifters’ season though, it also concludes Embree’s first season at the helm of the wood-bat West Coast League. Although his year started by becoming the head coach during the Drifters’ media day – only 24 hours before their first home game – Embree’s main concern at the time was just getting to know the team better.
“This is probably my sixth year managing (a West Coast League team), so there’s no adjustment. It’s just finding the players and getting to know them, that’s the adjustment. I knew a good portion of them and that helped.”
In a year filled with untimely injuries and players coming in and out of the lineup with scheduling conflicts, there was a break in the clouds. In addition to their two all-stars in Kadren Kinzie and Dane Woodcook, Embree called attention toward several other players.
“I’d go to the mound and go with (Brady) Baltrus, Billy (Dotson) and (Kaden) Alborghini. (Ethan) Paulson’s even done a good job,” Embree said. “(Elijah) Maris has come on strong with the bat. We’ve got some good stuff from the new guys. Nate Stevens behind the dish has done a good job calling games. I’m seeing a lot of positives, it’s just we’re not having a big two-out hit. You know when we have (that) here and there, it’s two different ball games.”
Throughout the year, Embree has stressed the importance of preparing players for their fall collegiate seasons. As the athletes cruise toward their fall schedule, he wants them to remember a few things from their summer in Springfield.
“I think for what these guys are doing right now consistency is key,” Embree said. “Damage control (too): it’s okay if you make a mistake, it’s what you do after you make a mistake. I think we’ve become a very mentally tough team. We’ve been forced to be because this is a what-we-got sort of thing, but I think it has made this group stronger, and that is going to help them in the fall.”
