Written by Raptors Broadcaster Patrick McColl
For the fourth time in five years, the Ridgefield Raptors find themselves in the West Coast League (WCL) postseason. A week before the exclusive tournament begins, the Raptors will host the Springfield Drifters this weekend, their final home opponent of the regular season.
Ridgefield (26-21) lost on Wednesday night against the Yakima Valley Pippins (18-29), but it wasn’t enough to keep the Raptors down in the series. On Tuesday night, Ridgefield beat Yakima 19-3, marking a season-high in runs (19) and hits (17) in a single game for the offense. The win clinched a wild card playoff spot for the Raptors.
Outfielder Hunter Katschke has been a difficult out since he first put on a Ridgefield uniform in June. The Utah Tech trailblazer is second in the WCL in home runs (six) and leads the ‘Raps with a .364 batting average and 35 RBI. In addition, Katschke put up a season-high seven RBI in Tuesday’s win against Yakima.
Springfield (17-30) played Ridgefield earlier in the year at the Hamlin Sports Complex. On the wrong end of a sweep, the Drifters were outscored in the series by 13 runs.
To counter Ridgefield, Springfield will lean on Linfield’s Elijah Maris. The senior infielder has played in 40 games this summer, aiding the Drifters with 22 RBI, eight doubles and four home runs. On the mound, Springfield reliever Ethan Paulson has not allowed an earned run in his last three appearances and six innings pitched. The Bushnell right-hander claims a 1.84 ERA this season, better than the team’s ERA of 5.73, a mark that is just 14th in the WCL.
The first two games of the series, which will take place on Friday and Saturday, will begin at 6:35 p.m. Sunday’s finale is set to start at 1:05 p.m.
Tickets to the home series against the Drifters at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex (RORC) are available on ridgefieldraptors.com. The live stream to watch or listen to the games against Springfield will be available on ridgefieldraptors.com/stream. #GoRaps