Elks Use Togetherness to Take Down Drifters

Tyler Peterson and several other Elks worked together to pull out an upset win over the first placed Springfield Drifters. (Andrew Green)

Springfield, OR. - The Bend Elks put together its most complete performance of the season in a 7-2 win over the top team in the West Coast League South, the Springfield Drifters.

Bend posted 13 hits at the dish and 11 strikeouts on the mound to set the tone in a critical road series. The Elks scored six of its seven runs over the first four innings taking advantage of several Springfield slip-ups. The Drifters committed four errors in a game for the third time this season, allowing Bend to take advantage, scoring two runs on wild pitches and passed balls while going four for 15 with runners in scoring position.

To no one’s surprise, Braeden Terry continues to be a monster at the plate, collecting three hits and two RBI. Terry has now taken the team leads in batting average at a .370 clip and RBI with seven. The previous team leader in batting average, Tyler Peterson, took command in his return to the lineup after a two-game break, using his speed to accumulate two infield base hits and another on a line to left field. Peterson still owns the right to the team lead in hits with 13.

The Elks were flawless in the field, committing no errors in support of the Bend pitching staff that continued its dominant stretch. Over the past three games, Elks pitching has been playing musical chairs, sitting down a total of 39 batters while leaving 26 runners hanging out to dry. Jackson Elder (2-0), who came into the game as the team leader in walks, only allowed two free passes and retired nine of the 11 Drifters he faced, including three by way of the strikeout.

Bend (9-8, 6-7) and Springfield (8-5) will meet again in game two on Wednesday at 6:35 p.m. as the Elks aim to capture its second road series win and get back to .500 in West Coast League play.