The Wahkiakum Mules baseball team saw their season end during the first round of district play on Saturday in a 7-2 loss to Toledo.

“[Toledo was] able to jump out to an early lead on us, and we never quite found our rhythm to mount a comeback,” Coach Garrett Radcliffe said. “They threw their ace, arguably one of the top five pitchers in the league, for most the game and he was dealing.”

"This year was tough.” said Mule junior Dominic Curl. “I'm still very happy that we made the tournament and really grew up as a team.”

Radcliffe is proud of the season, despite some early losses, and he’s proud of the amount of growth he’s seen.

“These darn boys never gave up,” he said. “I don't think anyone really foresaw us making the district tournament, but we were able to get in and make the best of it.”

“I think the future of baseball at Wahkiakum High School is bright,” Radcliffe added.

"We changed a lot this year,” said sophomore Zakk Carlson. “Everyone moved positions and places in the line-up, and throughout that change, we still worked hard. I'm looking forward to seeing where we go next season."

Radcliffe is already looking forward to next year with a stronger more experienced team and some young players “in the pipeline.”

This first year coach admits he had some of his own growing pains but welcomes that challenge.

“Come next year I am hoping to iron a lot out and really get going,” he said.