Messenger photo by Chad Thompson Drew DeMers, a college baseball player from South Dakota, poses at The Messenger. DeMers is playing for the newly-formed Fort Dodge Gypsum Miners this summer in the Pioneer Collegiate Baseball League. Their home will be Patterson Field.

Drew DeMers couldn’t have asked for a more opportunistic situation in his first plate appearance as a Fort Dodge Gypsum Miner.

The bases were loaded for the 21-year-old outfielder this past Saturday night against the Peak Prospects of Ames.

Facing a 2-2 count, DeMers slapped the ball to the right side of the infield.

The grass at Patterson Field slowed the ball just enough. With DeMers hustling down the line, he beat out an infield single and drove in his first run of the year.

“Whenever I get two strikes, my goal is to put the ball in play,” DeMers said. “That’s always my mindset in a situation like that.”

He said the pitch thrown in that at-bat was a curveball.

DeMers batted seventh and played left field. He finished the game 1 for 4.

The Miners dropped their opener, losing to the Prospects, 14-4.

“That was our first time seeing live pitching in quite a while,” DeMers said. “I think we will be pretty good.”

Earlier in the day, DeMers — along with players Lowell Schwartz, Cavan Crowell, Nate Doleman, and Adam Thompson — helped set up for the Frontier Days Parade.

“We sat on the streets where they lined up and we helped people get in their spots,” DeMers said.

During the parade, DeMers and the Miner players handed out flyers promoting the team.

The Miners carried a record of 0-2 into their game Tuesday night at Storm Lake. They fell at Bancroft on Sunday.

The Miners’ next home game is this Friday evening at Patterson Field. First pitch is set for 5 p.m.

*Editor’s note: This series follows the on and off the field experiences of Drew DeMers, a college baseball player. DeMers is playing the outfield for the Fort Dodge Gypsum Miners this summer at Patterson Field. He will also be volunteering in various ways throughout the city. DeMers is staying with staff writer Chad Thompson at his home in Fort Dodge.