Playoff matchups for Naselle and Wahkiakum

Wahkiakum beat Ocosta in a nailbiter, while Naselle dominated Oakville on May 14, which set up a rivalry matchup between the Mules and the Comets for the 2025 District 4 1B Baseball championship.

Naselle ended up walking away the winners, but both teams earned a state berth, cementing themselves as two of the top 12 teams in the state.

District tournament

The Mules and Comets could not have had more different state-clinching games. Both teams were in a "win or go home" situation when they lined up on May 14.

Wahkiakum ended up beating Ocosta 4-3, but it was a nailbiter down the stretch. After jumping ahead 4-0 in the fourth inning, thanks to a pair of singles from Parker Leitz and Gage Robinson, Wahkiakum needed to hold the line down the stretch. Ocosta was able to take advantage of some nerves, scoring on an error down the stretch, but Wahkiakum edged the game over the line, winning 4-3.

Naselle, meanwhile, easily cruised past Oakville. The Comets put up nine runs on 12 hits, while holding the Acorns scoreless. Leith Chadwick had a fantastic game on the mound for Naselle, giving up just one hit while striking out seven Oakville batters. Offensively, Jacob Lindstrom put together a great day with three hits and three RBI at the plate.

With those W's in the bag, both teams solidified themselves as contenders in the state championship, but they also earned themselves another chance at the KM Trophy and a district title.

In the three matchups between Wahkiakum and Naselle leading up to the district matchup on May 17, the Comets had been dominant, winning all three matchups. Two of the wins came by double figures, with Naselle coming out on top 12-2 and 11-1 on March 25 and May 8, respectively.

With that history in mind, this matchup proved a closer, low-scoring game. After both teams went scoreless in the first two innings, Naselle got into the scoring column with two runs in the bottom of the third inning. The Comets tacked on one more in the bottom of the fourth, to give them a 3-0 lead.

Wahkiakum would get on the board in the top of the seventh, but it was too little, too late, and the final score ended 3-1 for the district title.

Naselle finished the game with six hits, led by Jack Strange, who accounted for two of those. It was Kingston Quashnick who broke the deadlock in the third inning, breaking the game open with an RBI double. William Anderson was on the mound for the Comets during the game, allowing just one run, three hits, and striking out five batters.

The Mules notched three hits in the game, one apiece from Preston West, Hank Wilson, and Aiden Scott. Scott was responsible for driving in Wahkiakum's only run with his single in the seventh inning.

Most importantly, for both teams, was taking the next step to compete for the state championship.

Playoff matchups

Thanks to their district win, Naselle received a bye into the state quarterfinals. They come in as the #4 seed, and they play the winner of Northport and Riverside Christian, who play May 20, and the result is not known at time of press.

Wahkiakum also plays on May 20 in their first round game against Quilcene. The result was not known at the time of press, but if they were to win, they would match up with the #3 seed Almira-Coulee-Hartline on May 24.

Softball quick hits

Naselle and Ocosta qualified for the state tournament out of District 4 in softball. Wahkiakum lost in the game to go to state to Ocosta 22-3 on May 15, which signaled the end of their season.

Naselle clinched its spot at state with an emphatic 25-9 win over Taholah on May 15, and then were crowned district champions on May 17 after beating Ocosta 6-4.

Naselle's opening round of the state tournament is scheduled for May 23 against the Dayton Bulldogs. Naselle comes in as the #9 seed, hoping to upset the #8 Bulldogs to earn a chance against #1 DeSales in the quarterfinals.