Naselle ready for spring weather on the mound

The rain has made it hard for Naselle to get into the outfield and onto the diamond this spring, but April will bring better weather and more chances for softball and baseball to flourish.

Naselle Baseball

Head Coach Randy Lindstrom and the Comets have a young squad this season, with nine sophomores and nine freshmen helping make up a large squad for Naselle. Despite the unit's youth, the team has a lot of baseball savvy for their age. "Although we have a large group of underclassmen, the majority of them have played a lot of baseball," said Lindstrom. "With our biggest group of seniors in some time, it's a good mix of veterans with the younger guys."

The strength of the squad has been reflected in their results so far this season. After starting 2-0, Naselle won back-to-back away games to push its record to 4-0. The first was against Oakville on Friday, March 27. The Comets ran riot over the Acorns, beating them 24-2 in five innings. The Comets scored 11 runs in the first frame, capped with a grand slam from Leith Chadwick, who homered to centerfield, notching four RBI. The Comets racked up 11 hits to earn their 24 runs, with Trajen Ford and Eli Gardner each grabbing two hits and three RBI apiece. Kayden Wirkkala also played a big role, with two hits, two RBI, and two stolen bases. Brodie Troffer drove in two runs, had a hit, and scored three runs.

"Blythe Engelson, Eli Gardner, and Kayden Wirkkala are a few of our talented younger guys that didn't get a lot of playing time last year for the varsity," said Lindstrom. "[I'm] really looking forward to seeing them out there every day competing this year. Brodie Troffer is swinging a good bat early on and has played a lot of different positions on defense."

In addition to becoming a hitting exhibition, Naselle got to flex its pitching depth, with four players taking to the mound over the five innings and registering 10 strikeouts between them.

Lindstrom likes how the pitching staff has looked so far. "They are looking strong so far," he said. Everyone is healthy (knock on wood), and that is the key early on and throughout the year, keeping everyone in top shape and out there competing every day. Our pitching staff is led by two of our six seniors, Leith Chadwick and Trajen Ford. They have a ton of innings under their belt and have pitched in some big games for us over the years. Both are fierce competitors and have a nice mix of off-speed to go along with a good fastball."

After getting a rest against Oakville, Chadwick was back on the mound for Naselle's win against Astoria on Monday, March 30. Trailing 2-0 heading into the top of the fifth, Naselle was looking for runs. In the top of the fifth, Eli Gardner connected, sending a line drive to left field for a double, allowing Garett Boggs and Scott Henington to score and knotting the game at 2-2. A few at-bats later, Chadwick hit another double, allowing Gardner to score. Wirkkala followed that up with a double, sending Troffer home. In a blitz, Naselle had control, scoring seven in the inning and earning a commanding 7-2 lead going into the bottom of the fifth. The Comets and the Fishermen traded two more runs in the seventh, and Naselle took the 9-4 win.

Naselle played against Wahkiakum for the KM Trophy on Tuesday, March 31, but the result of that game is unknown at the time of press. Going into the game, Lindstrom said he expects Wahkiakum to be a challenge, given the wealth of returning experience the Mules have.

Naselle Softball

Naselle softball Head Coach Rebekah Wirkkala is also ready for a little more sunshine. While her squad has been grinding to improve, it would be nice to get outdoors more. Speaking to The Eagle on Thursday, March 19, Wrikkala detailed the seasonal challenges of early spring.

"The team has been working hard in the cage and gym as the weather hasn't been very cooperative so far, with only three days outside, but they're improving each day," Wirkkala said. "We have made it to state for the last few years, but our goal is not only to go, but to compete at state." There are 25 girls in the program this season, giving Naselle enough to field JV and varsity squads, with some girls splitting time between both. For varsity, nine returners are back, with an influx of young talent as well.

"With returners like Avrey Ford on the mound and Emma Kragerud behind the plate, anchoring the corner at 1B is Jessie Smith, Haylee Rose as our utility (probably SS), and Brooke Davis snagging every fly in center field, we have strong leaders grounding our defense," said Wirkkala. "Adding Addison Dalton as DP last season, who can smash the ball, really adds to our strength. Newbies/eighth graders we're excited for [are] Lili Ford (outfielder and Middle infielder), Margrit Engelson (catcher/outfielder), [and] Brielle Anderson (pitcher, 3B) are adding to our team's strength."

The Comets were 2-1 heading into the Tuesday, March 31 matchup with Wahkiakum. The result of the game was unavailable at the time of press. After beating Ocosta on Monday, March 23, Naselle played Morton/White Pass on Wednesday, March 25. Naselle was dominant, putting up 29 runs on 12 hits, beating the Timberwolves 29-5. After two innings, the Comets held a 15-2 lead, and it never got much closer. Naselle scored 10 more runs in the third. Jessie Smith turned in a phenomenal game, with three hits, seven RBI, three stolen bases, and four runs scored. Brooke Davis was also on fire, smashing three hits for five RBI, and scoring three runs.

Despite a tough 15-0 loss to Kelso on Monday, March 30, Wirkkala's mentality is about making the most of every opportunity this spring. "[We want to] control what we can control and take one day, one pitch at a time," she said. "Fix what we can, growing in the failures (as softball is a game of overcoming failure), and soaking up the last with our five seniors; cherishing all the moments with these amazing young women."

Wahkiakum's recent results

Wahkiakum followed up their win against Quilcene with an 8-2 defeat against Ilwaco on Friday, March 27, and will next play Raymond/South Bend on Thursday, Apr. 2. For Wahkiakum softball, their lone game last week came against Morton/White Pass, with the Mules falling in an offensive showdown 19-17 to the Timberwolves.