Springfield Drifters Coverage
SPRINGFIELD – It’s never easy to say goodbye, and for Springfield Drifters’ coaches and players, this is no different. It’s especially difficult before the season even ends.
Over the past two weeks, players have returned home and to their schools to continue their collegiate careers.
Coach Jeff Lyle said a bond remains with the early departures.
“Once a Drifter, always a Drifter, you know, kind of what everybody says about their organizations, but it’ll be 100% true. We’ve already had guys leave and we’ve already checked in on them,” Lyle said. “You never lose those connections; baseball is a really small, big world.”
SPRINGFIELD – Cooper Mullens and Isaiah Ibarra – the Drifters’ second baseman and catcher, respectively – were named to the 2025 West Coast League all-star team.
“I’m super honored,” Mullens said. “I’m really excited to be able to honor or represent the Drifters organization. They’ve done a lot for me over the past couple of years, and to be able to represent them and how they do things, which has just been first class since I’ve been here, (and) hopefully represent them well, I’m super excited.”
SPRINGFIELD – Saturday evening, fans packed the stands like sardines to see Springfield take on the Portland Pickles. Despite the 19-4 loss, fans stayed until the end to witness a fireworks show worth the price of admission. The Springfield crowd of nearly 1,000 helped bring spirits to the team during a tough outing.
“We love having the support and people in the seats. It’s a lot more fun to play with people backing you and cheering you on, so that’s huge for us,” Drifters assistant coach Matt Hubbs said.
SPRINGFIELD – It’s likely the biggest signing in Drifters history: Connor Molony – a standout pitcher at Thurston High School – will be joining the team for their fourth season.
The right-hander has been on two Class 5A state championship teams with the Colts, who are ranked third in the state this season. He is committed to the University of Oregon.
SPRINGFIELD – Entering July, the Springfield Drifters were 11-15 overall, riding a 9-6 stretch in their last 15 games. Hopes were high, and the team was optimistic about reaching their first playoff berth.
SPRINGFIELD – The Springfield Drifters wrapped up their first home stretch in the 2024 West Coast League season on Sunday with a 2-1 victory over Bend, putting them at 3-6 on the season. Now going into their away series against the Elks, head coach Alan Embree is focused on one thing: timing.
“(We need) timely hitting,” Embree said. “We’re banging out hits but they’re not timely hits. We need some good two-out hits. I mean we play defense and we pitch; we keep ourselves in the game with our offense.”
SPRINGFIELD – In sports, home-field advantage is a well-known advantage.
Last Thursday night, this truism was on full display for the Springfield Drifters.
With a record-breaking crowd of more than 2,500 fans, Springfield had a chip on its shoulder against the Ridgefield Raptors.
The Raptors swept the Drifters last week in their first meetings of the season – but that was in Ridgefield. Back at Hamlin Sports Complex and that series still fresh on their minds, the Drifters wanted to return the favor.
If fans thought Rapid was the only dog at the Springfield Drifters’ game vs. the NW Star Nighthawks on Friday night, you’re barking up the wrong tree.
The sponsor for this game was Greenhill Humane Society – the only life-saving animal shelter within the Eugene/Springfield area. Greenhill staff organized a paw-some event for Drifters Dog Day.
The Springfield Drifters enter their fourth season with an overhauled staff, a new team philosophy and, of course, some fresh faces on the diamond. With just under two weeks until the May 30 season opener, the new-look front office has been hard at work preparing for months. With loads of new promotional events — including three different fireworks shows — Drifters fans can expect Hamlin to be rocking this year.
SPRINGFIELD – Representing your hometown is always an honor in sports – and when it comes to Thurston graduate and Drifters assistant coach Rocco Ferrari, Springfield is just in his DNA.
“It’s a really cool thing in my opinion to have a team here. And to be able to be a part of the coaching staff – or just to be a part of it in any way – but especially as part of the coaching staff is really special to me because I grew up here in Springfield playing baseball my whole life,” Ferrari said. “I went to Thurston High School. I feel like I’ve always been a part of the baseball community here, so it’s kind of nice to be on the other end of it and coach and be a part of the Drifters organization.”
SPRINGFIELD – Just before the Springfield Drifters held their media day on Monday at Hamlin Sports Complex, season-altering news was released by the team.
Tommy Richards, the Drifters’ head coach since their inception, unexpectedly stepped down and was replaced by assistant coach Alan Embree – a World Series champion with the Boston Red Sox and head coach at Springfield High School.
Despite the abrupt coaching change, players said the team is ready to compete.
SPRINGFIELD – Providing home-cooked meals, family getaways, and a consistent place to sleep are normal things for a mother to do, but how does one receive them while hundreds of miles away from home?
For a select few Springfield Drifters alumni, Sarah Keepers provided all that and more during their time with the summer baseball team.
“We’ve had a lot of fun. The players that have been placed with us, it’s been a seamless fit,” Keepers said. “I have a household of three boys that live at home, so having a couple, one or two extra at a time hasn’t added too much to the chaos. It’s been really, really positive.”
SPRINGFIELD – Fireworks? You want fireworks? The Springfield Drifters delivered on and off the field July 4 with an 18-4 victory over a college all-star team at Hamlin Sports Complex in front of the largest crowd in team history – 1,326.
SPRINGFIELD – Since the dawn of the Springfield Drifters’ new era, first-year-coach Jeff Lyle has made it clear the team does not emphasize winning games. This approach is designed to help players develop on the field without the added pressure of their job being on the line. Now, as the team sits on the edge of breaking the Drifters’ single-season win record, it’s clear the player-focused philosophy is paying dividends.
“It’s nice, it’s really good for the players. It’s all on them. It has nothing to do with us as coaches,” Lyle said. “But we haven’t talked about winning or losing all year long. We’ve talked about the process and having a chance to be in every game, and that’s what we’ve done.”
The Springfield Drifters recently returned from their first of two week-long road trips of the season after visiting Ridgefield and Marion.
On this trip, the Drifters finished 0-3 against the Raptors and 2-1 vs. the Berries.
Despite the overall finish of 2-4, Springfield played hard in all six games. The first game against Ridgefield on Tuesday night came down to the wire, with the Raptors scoring a walk-off run in the bottom of the ninth inning.
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.
SPRINGFIELD – The Springfield Drifters roster is made up of players from all over the country wearing many different hats: Collegiate ballplayer. House guest. Community leader. Baseball ambassador.
And this year, especially, Instructor.
Young fans hoping to grow into Drifters some day have been attending the team’s own “baseball academy” – a series of instructional camps for little sluggers.
The youngsters are not only taught how to get better on the field, but also in their outlook.
SPRINGFIELD – The Springfield Drifters’ season opens this Friday against the Walla Walla Sweets at Hamlin Park.
With their overhauled coaching staff and front office, the Drifters hope to launch a new era with a strong start to their fourth season in the West Coast League. Rosters remain fluid and the availability of college players still in their seasons can play havoc with the coaches’ plans.
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.”
SPRINGFIELD – Many kids grow up with the desire to play sports. No matter what the sport is, the opportunity to compete is something no child should be denied. Recently, the Springfield Drifters partnered with Kidsports – a nonprofit that focuses on equal opportunities for children in sports – for an event during their Friday night game against the Cowlitz Black Bears.