Randy Lindstrom

Returning state champions.

That is Naselle’s status as the 1B baseball season gets under way.

“Winning a baseball state championship was a lifetime dream of mine,” said head coach Randy Lindstrom. “When I was younger I always thought it would happen when I was standing between the lines. I never would imagine that 30 years later I would be outside the diamond and take one home!

Naselle baseball

Returning state 1B champions

March13 Wahkiakum (a)

March 15 Clatskanie (a) 4:30 p.m.

March 17 PeEll/Willapa Valley (h)

March 22 Knappa DH (h) 3 p.m.

March 23 Raymond/South Bend (a)

March 27 Oakville (a)

March 29 Montesano (h)

March 30 Mossyrock (h

April 10 Lake Quinault (a)

April 11 Ocosta (h)

April 13 Wishkah (h)

April 14 Ilwaco (h)

April 20 Oakville (h)

April 21 Ilwaco (a)

April 24 Mossyrock (a)

April 26 PeEll/Willapa Valley (a)

April 27 Lake Quinault (h)

April 28 Raymond/South Bend (h) Senior night

May 2 Wishkah (a)

Games 4 p.m. unless indicated

DH denotes doubleheader

“Reflecting back on last year, the old cliché sure is true: hard work pays off. The kids never quit putting in long hours in the gym and the cage and on a makeshift mud-puddle infield in right field.”

Last season’s success involved blanking Wilbur-Creston-Keller and then winning a 15-10 semifinal against Almira-Coulee-Hartline, a school that has provided problems for the Comets in other sports. The final was a 5-3 win over Crosspoint, a private school from Bremerton that had lost only two of its 23 games.

As the Comets start over, the coach is optimistic.

“We are returning a strong group for this year,” he said. “Our outfield was hit the hardest, losing seniors Jason Harman, Craig Reitz and starting pitcher Joey Strange.”

Replacements are stepping up.

“We have a deep pitching staff on tap for this year, led by senior Kolten Lindstrom,” the coach said.

“I am looking for big things out of senior lefty Parker Kilponen. Dean Helvey was huge for us down the stretch last year out of the ’pen and I am expecting him to take a role as a starter this year. William Anderson and Clay Bergeson will also be competing for starting jobs off the bump.”

Other roles look bright.

Pull Quote

‘We will definitely have a bull’s-eye on our back.’

Randy Lindstrom, NHS baseball coach

“Jacob Lindstrom will handle the catching duties while brother Kolten pitches, and Kolten will suit up for the rest of the staff. We are returning a solid, strong, young infield, led by sophomore Jack Strange at shortstop.”

The Comet bats appear strong, too.

“We also are returning our one through five guys from last year’s batting lineup, and expecting big things from our two seniors, Kolten Lindstrom and Bergeson.”

Coach Lindstrom sees Mossyrock as a strong league opponent. “They are very athletic and competitive,” he said.

The season was beginning with a trip to Wahkiakum before a game at Clatskanie March 15 and the home opener against Pe Ell/Willapa Valley March 17.

“I am very excited to get started,” the coach said. “It looks like we will have around 22 kids out this year and possibly our fist JV program in many moons.”

Tyler Ratkie, who joined the program as assistant coach last year, returns.

“Tyler is a huge reason for last year’s success, his endless hours of infield drills and knowledge for the game was key to winning all year!” coach Lindstrom said.

“We will definitely have a bull’s-eye on our back after winning a state title. We’re going to have to work even harder to get back to the big stage again.”