SPRINGFIELD – With two events, three back-to-back games against the Walla Walla Sweets, and a first pitch from Springfield Mayor Sean VanGordon the Drifters’ opening weekend was jam-packed.
Springfield opened on Friday with Babe Ruth night. This event saw little leaguers from schools across Lane County receive free admission and the chance to run on the field before the game. This included an appearance from the Pleasant Hill, Creswell and, Springfield Little League teams.
On Saturday, the Drifters held their “touch a truck” event with Springfield police and fire crews. Children were able to climb, explore, and touch all kinds of different emergency vehicles. They also had the opportunity to take photos with local first responders.
Springfield Mayor Sean VanGordon chats with his battery mate, catcher Bowman Wingar for the opening pitch on Friday.
Children jog around the infield with Logan Honma. Kids were able to meet players and go on the field.
While both of these events ended in tough losses at the hands of the Sweets, Springfield was able to sail to victory on Sunday night.
The victory came after the Drifters scored seven runs in the seventh inning, turning a one-run deficit into a six-run advantage as Springfield won 12-6.
After receiving his first win as Drifters’ head coach – and with his first series under his belt – coach Jeff Lyle said his coaching philosophy is paying dividends.
“We’ve kind of killed ourselves in the last two games. (Today we) beat ourselves up early and then had the resiliency to come back and stick with the process like we’ve been telling these guys all year. The result doesn’t matter to us. It’s the process. How do we do things? Are we doing things the right way? And today, the process led to what we’ve been talking about,” Lyle said.
The Drifters’ roster is still filling in as players are still in school or playing out their collegiate seasons. Pitching coach Dean Stiles said it gives the team a chance to learn about the players who are here.
“I can assure this entire first homestand will be a pitch-by-committee deal. (It) gives us an opportunity to learn their strengths and let them ease into their roles,” Stiles said.
The Drifters showcased a new pitcher nearly every inning across the three-game-stretch. This allowed the team to give 14 of their 17 rostered pitchers a chance on the mound. This included Kaden Harris, who was the only pitcher to throw in each of the first three games. Harris threw one strikeout in all three games and was able to become the Drifters’ first WP of the season Sunday.
Harris wasn’t the only one throwing strikes, though. Springfield Mayor Sean VanGordon took the mound on Friday to kick off the season in style.
“It’s kind of funny, I got to throw the first pitch of their first season and the first pitch of their second season, I actually brought the same ball,” VanGordon said.
“It’s a cool thing to be able to get out here. You see how many families are out here with their kids and just to kick the whole thing off and say, ‘Springfield and the Drifters, we’re proud of you,’ and to see the community come together, it’s like the start of summer,” he said.
DRIFTERS DATA CENTER
RESULTS / SCHEDULES
RESULTS
Friday, May 30
■ Drifters 5, Walla Walla 7
Saturday, May 31
■ Drifters 4, Walla Walla 7
Sunday, June 1
■ Drifters 12, Walla Walla 6
SCHEDULE
Thursday, June 5
■ Bend at Drifters, 6:35 p.m.
Friday, June 6
■ NW Stars at Drifters, 6:35 p.m.
Saturday, June 7
■ NW Stars at Drifters, 6:35 p.m.
Wednesday, June 11
■ Drifters at Corvallis, 6:35 p.m.
Thursday, June 12
■ Drifters at Corvallis, 6:35 p.m
