The Bellingham Bells dropped their home opener Tuesday night at Joe Martin Field, losing 4-2 to the Springfield Drifters. It was the Drifters’ first win as a member of the West Coast League, and the first of a three game series between the two teams.

The Bells went up early in the third when shortstop Ty Saunders stole home on a throw from the catcher to second, but the team hit a cold streak and didn’t score again until the eighth.

The Bells’ starting pitcher, Austyn Coleman, started off strong with four scoreless innings before allowing two runs in the fifth. Noah Meffert replaced him, and after walking his first two batters, struck out six straight Drifters between the fifth and sixth innings.

“I made some adjustments in the pen with Carlos [Arroyo],” Meffert said. “Just shortening up my arm path and let my body do the work.”

The Drifters had a big eighth inning, scoring two runs on a pair of doubles and a sacrifice fly. The Bells responded with an RBI single by Elijah Hainline with the bases loaded to make it 4-2, but were unable to further capitalize that inning.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Bells had two outs and runners on first and third with an opportunity to come back, but the game ended on a pop fly to left field.

“We have a chance to have a really special season, we just have to play like we can,” said Meffert.

The teams face off again at 6:35 at Joe Martin Field on the evening of June 1.