Written by Raptors Broadcaster Patrick McColl

The Raptors are 6-0 to start the second half of West Coast League (WCL) play. Leading the South Division, the ‘Raps will travel to Oregon and play the Springfield Drifters at the Hamlin Sports Complex in a three game weekend series.

Ridgefield (16-16) swept its rival Cowlitz and Walla Walla in their last two series. The Raptors put up a season high 16 runs against Cowlitz in Game 3 of the series on Sunday night. The ‘Raps 16 hits against Walla Walla in a 6-2 Game 1 win was another season high.

At the dish, All-Star Luke Iverson leads the team with 25 hits and 21 RBI. Other ‘Raps have stepped up around the Utah Valley catcher in recent games. New outfielder Colby Wallace hit his first home run of the season in Game 2 of the Walla Walla series. Additionally, Hawaii infielder Taylor Takata walked five times in Game 2, a season high. Utah Tech Trailblazer Hunter Katschke has stayed hot to lead the team in batting average (.359).

On the mound, Ridgefield starter Dylan Stewart is fourth in the WCL in ERA (1.44) and was recently named to the All-Star roster. Portland Pilot Curtis Hebert was added to the team, as well, and has only allowed two runs in 16 innings this year.

Springfield (13-17) finished just ahead of the Raptors in the first half with a 12-15 record but will likely need to win the South Division in the second half to get to the postseason. The Drifters split the first two games of their series against the Portland Pickles, winning on Tuesday 5-4 but falling by 10 runs in Game 2 on Wednesday (14-4).

The Drifters have put Hawaii Rainbow Warrior Kedren Kinzie in the lineup for 26 games this season, and the third baseman leads the team with 28 hits. A recent name to the All-Star game in Bellingham, Kinzie has 14 RBI and has slugged six doubles.

On the hill, New Mexico State’s Brady Baltus has been a lot for hitters to handle. The 6-foot right-hander has a 0.75 ERA in five appearances and four starts. Baltus’ low ERA leads the entire West Coast League amongst qualified pitchers.

The first two games of the series in Springfield will start at 6:35 p.m. Sunday’s finale is set to begin at 4:05 p.m. After the road trip, Ridgefield will play a non-league game at home against the Redmond Dudes on Tuesday, July 16.

Tickets to the home game against Redmond at the RORC are available on ridgefieldraptors.com. The live stream to listen to the games in Springfield will be available on ridgefieldraptors.com/stream. #GoRaps