Fishermen surge to 5-0: IHS earns lofty early-season state ranking
Published 7:01 am Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Ilwaco freshman shortstop Chase Cunningham (00) bailed the Fishermen out of the inning with a brilliant double play — fielding a hard-hit ground ball up the middle before tapping second base and firing to first in time to get the runner and end the inning in a 5-1 win over Naselle. LUKE WHITTAKER PHOTOS
Naselle senior pitcher William Anderson (35) fist-bumps teammates following a strikeout against Ilwaco. Anderson pitched seven innings, allowing five hits and one run with nine strikeouts in a 5-1 loss to Ilwaco.
Ilwaco starting pitcher Corbin Johnson (16) pitched six innings, allowing three hits with two strikeouts.
Ilwaco freshman Mark Ragan (7) drives back to first base during a pickoff attempt from Naselle pitcher William Anderson (35).
Ilwaco senior right fielder Robert Sanders (14) catches a fly ball.
Naselle head coach Randy Lindstrom huddles the infield.
Ilwaco catcher Mark Ragan (7) catches a foul ball for an out against Naselle.
Ilwaco junior Dylan Pelas (11) high-fives freshman Chase Cunningham (00) after turning an inning-ending double play vs Naselle.
NASELLE — The Ilwaco baseball team is off to a perfect start and the state is beginning to take notice.
The Ilwaco baseball team notched their fifth straight win, beating Naselle 5-1 in a non-league matchup on April 3, in Naselle.
Fishermen top Comets
The Fishermen (5-0) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning on Comet starting pitcher Jack Strange (4), forcing Naselle to turn to senior William Anderson (35) early. Ilwaco continued to add to their lead, with junior Dylan Pelas (11) and Mark Ragan (7) tallying RBIs before Naselle could escape the jam, trailing 4-0 going into the second inning.
In the second inning, Ilwaco starting pitcher Corbin Johnson (16) issued two walks before a single before an RBI by Anderson (35), cutting the lead to 4-1 with one out.
Ilwaco freshman shortstop Chase Cunningham (00) bailed the Fishermen out of the inning with a brilliant double play — fielding a hard-hit ground ball up the middle before tapping second base and firing to first in time to get the runner and end the inning.
After a couple scoreless innings, Ilwaco added to their lead in the sixth inning, with Pelas (11) delivering and RBI double to left, extending the Fishermen lead to 5-1.
Game notes: Ilwaco freshman Haddox Hazen (9) finished with a game-high three hits and two RBI’s. Naselle finished with three hits, led by Trajen Ford with two. Ilwaco starting pitcher Corbin Johnson (16) pitched six innings, allowing three hits with two strikeouts. Naselle senior pitcher William Anderson (35) pitched seven innings, allowing five hits and one run with nine strikeouts.
Fishermen rise to lofty early-season ranking
With the win, the Fishermen (5-0) remain unbeaten and first place (4-0) in league play. The early-season success has led to a #2 in the WIAA state baseball rankings among 47 2B teams in the state, the highest ranking in school history.
“We are playing well for sure,” said assistant coach Chris Patana.
“I try not to read into the rankings this early, but it’s pretty exciting to see us at #2 now. I do not believe Ilwaco baseball has ever been ranked that high in its history.”
Ilwaco finished ranked #8 last season, compelling a 14-4 overall record, and finished #11 the season before, when they went 16-5, both times advancing to the state playoffs.
Up next:
Ilwaco (5-0) will next host Chief Leschi on April 15.
Naselle (2-2) will host Knappa on April 9, followed by an away game at Pe Ell/Willapa Valley on April 12.
CUTLINES:
BASEBALL 1:
LUKE WHITTAKER PHOTOS
Ilwaco freshman shortstop Chase Cunningham (00) bailed the Fishermen out of the inning with a brilliant double play — fielding a hard-hit ground ball up the middle before tapping second base and firing to first in time to get the runner and end the inning in a 5-1 win over Naselle.
BASEBALL 2:
Naselle senior pitcher William Anderson (35) fist-bumps teammates following a strikeout against Ilwaco. Anderson pitched seven innings, allowing five hits and one run with nine strikeouts in a 5-1 loss to Ilwaco.
BASEBALL 3:
Ilwaco starting pitcher Corbin Johnson (16) pitched six innings, allowing three hits with two strikeouts.
BASEBALL 4:
Ilwaco freshman Mark Ragan (7) drives back to first base during a pickoff attempt from Naselle pitcher William Anderson (35).
BASEBALL 5:
Ilwaco senior right fielder Robert Sanders (14) catches a fly ball.
BASEBALL 6:
Naselle head coach Randy Lindstrom huddles the infield.
BASEBALL 7:
Ilwaco catcher Mark Ragan (7) catches a foul ball for an out against Naselle.
BASEBALL 8:
Ilwaco junior Dylan Pelas (11) high-fives freshman Chase Cunningham (00) after turning an inning-ending double play vs Naselle.
