by Steve Mims
The Springfield Drifters are more than halfway toward last year’s win total as they prepare to return home for four of their next five games.
Springfield is 10-8 and contending in the South Division of the West Coast League after going 17-37 in its inaugural season. The Drifters loaded up on Division I talent for their second season and the increased talent has shown on the scoreboard.
Springfield returns home Wednesday to face reigning league champion Corvallis before visiting the Knights on Thursday.
Springfield is back at Hamlin Field to host Ridgefield during the weekend with a host of fun promotional events for the fans.
In addition to Wine Wednesday against the Knights, the Drifters are welcoming all TrackTown Kids Club members into the game for free. Friday is Military Appreciation Night as all current and former service members receive free admission to the game.
First Responders Night is Saturday with all first responders and their families getting into the game for free and Sunday is Neu Youth Day as all kids receive free admission and their parents can pay half price for general admission seats.
Outfielder Cole Kleckner has been blazing at the plate for the Drifter with a .500 batting average in seven games while Bobby Blandford and Rex DeAngelis are batting .367 and .348, respectively. Infielders Ryan Cooney and Cooper Mullens, who both just wrapped up their senior season of high school, are hitting .333 and .296, respectively.
Dawson Santana and Cole Calnon lead the Drifters with eight RBIs apiece while Mullens has a team-high 11 runs scored.
Santana leads the way with eight stolen bases while Jace Miller has five.
Beau Burnett has not allowed a run in nine innings over five games while Garrett Vohs has a 1.00 ERA over nine innings.
Bridger Holmes, a North Bend native headed to Oregon State, has struck out 25 in 16 2/3 innings while posting a 2.16 ERA. Marist graduate John Over leads the Drifters with two wins while compiling a 1.80 ERA.