NASELLE — The Naselle Comet baseball team returns to the diamond as two-time defending state champions, having incredibly captured the WIAA 1B title the past two seasons under head coach Randy Lindstrom.

Last year, then-junior pitcher Dean Helvey delivered a dazzling pitching performance in the state title tilt, throwing a complete game with nine strikeouts while only surrendering five hits and two walks as the fifth-seeded Comets upset third-seeded Mount Vernon Christian 4-2.

Helvey, now a senior, returns to lead a deep pitching staff for the Comets, who will seek their third straight championship under Lindstrom.

“We have a lot of returning starters with a couple years of postseason experience,” said Lindstrom, who has been encouraged by what he’s seen early on this season, particularly from the pitching staff.

“A lot of our young pitchers from the last couple years who didn’t get a ton of varsity time are bigger and stronger this year. We have a solid, deep pitching staff.”

The team will lean on their pitching this season as they seek to repeat the success of the past two years.

“We’re looking for big things out of our young pitching staff,” Lindstrom said.

“Sophomore Trajen Ford has a long, lanky build, ideal for creating leverage and whip along with sophomore Leith Chadwick and junior William Anderson, who both saw some varsity time last year and are looking sharp early on. Senior Dean Helvey will lead the pitching staff and is super cool on the mound along with great stuff.”

Naselle’s offensive attack will begin with juniors Jacob Lindstrom and Jack Strange, batting first and second in the lineup. Both players were instrumental on the Comet football and basketball teams and will be counted on for delivering runs on the diamond.

“Our one-two leadoff offensive punch, juniors Jacob Lindstrom and Jack Strange are returning bigger and stronger this year and barreling balls often and early,” Lindstrom said.

Naselle will have 18 players on the the roster this year, about the same as last season.

The Comets will compete in the five-team 1B Coastal League, where they went 8-0 last season.

“Mossyrock is always tough along with Quinault, who finds a way to be competitive as they have good coaching and a big turnout every year. Oakville was young last year and will be competitive,” Lindstrom said.

Up next: Naselle is scheduled to open the season away Thursday, March 21, against Oakville.