Naselle Softball's Shocking 16-6 Victory: What Did Ocosta Miss? RSB Boys’ Soccer Hits 5-0—Don't Miss the Highlights!

The Naselle and Ilwaco high schools are off to a dynamic start this spring sports season, with both schools displaying talent across various teams. The Naselle softball team began their season with a mixed performance, achieving a solid 16-6 victory over Ocosta on March 23, before suffering a setback against Morton/White Pass, losing 25-5 on March 25. As the Comets stand at 1-1 on the season, they are set to host three consecutive home games: Toutle Lake on April 1, Oakville on April 3, and Ilwaco on April 7.

Meanwhile, Ilwaco's softball team faced challenges as they opened their season with a disappointing 16-0 shutout loss against 1A powerhouse Kings Way Christian (4-1) on March 27. They will head to Winlock on April 1, then visit Naselle on April 7, before returning home to compete against Chief Leschi on April 14.

On the track, the Naselle girls’ team showcased their skills at a meet hosted by North Beach, where they emerged as the top point scorers among eight schools, clinching nine event wins. Notable performances included sophomore Karsen Green's victories in the pole vault and triple jump, as well as freshman Kenzie Larson's first-place finish in the 3200 meters and strong showing in the 1600 meters. The team also secured a sweep in the high jump, led by sophomore June Miller, who triumphed in both the 200m and 400m events.

Coach Scott Smith expressed his satisfaction with the progress of his young team, highlighting the leadership of senior Mylee Dunagan and the promising performances from newcomers, including Alicia Knight and Jace Carpenter. “Kenzie Larson has come into the season with a strong distance base and continues to train hard,” Coach Smith noted, emphasizing the team's potential as they continue through the season.

For the Naselle boys' track team, sophomore Gus Burkhalter demonstrated his abilities by placing third in both the long jump and triple jump. Senior Jason Gardner and junior Bo Dunagan also contributed to the team's efforts in the pole vault, while junior Caesar Garcia finished third in the 1600m. The Comets will host a home meet on April 2, where they look to build on their early season momentum.

Ilwaco's track team is also making strides, particularly among their sophomore class. The Fishermen boys placed third out of seven schools during the meet at Toutle Lake, with standout performances from Connor Ryden, who recorded a personal best time of 55.7 seconds in the 400m, and Brexten Weidner, who excelled in the long jump. Freshman James Hamilton also shone, setting a personal record of 11.6 seconds in the 100 meters.

The Ilwaco girls' relay team, including sophomore Elsa Linquist and three freshmen, won the 4x400m relay, further showcasing the burgeoning talent in the program. After their successful outing, the team will travel to Naselle on April 2 to continue their competitive season.

In baseball, the Ilwaco Fishermen are having a remarkable start, boasting a perfect 4-0 record after a busy week that included wins against Wahkiakum (8-2) and sweeping Pe Ell/Willapa Valley (4-3 and 9-6) on March 28. They are set to host Astoria on April 3 and Naselle on April 7, as they aim to maintain their undefeated streak.

Similarly, the Naselle baseball team has made headlines with a perfect start of 3-0, which includes a dominant performance over Ocosta and Oakville, outscoring them by a combined 30-4 margin. Their next games include a trip to Astoria on March 30, followed by home games against Wahkiakum and Oakville on March 31 and April 3, respectively.

On the soccer field, the situation is more challenging for Ilwaco's boys' team, which has faced setbacks and currently stands at 0-5 after losses to Hoquiam (6-1) and Raymond/South Bend (10-0) last week. They will host Montesano on April 2 and travel to Chief Leschi on April 14 in hopes of turning their season around.

In contrast, the Raymond/South Bend boys' soccer team is thriving with a 5-0 record, having convincingly defeated Tenino (8-1) and Ilwaco (10-0) last week. They will host Elma on April 3 and Forks on April 9, looking to extend their winning streak.

The spring sports season is shaping up to be an exciting one for both Naselle and Ilwaco high schools, with athletes showing promising performances across various disciplines. As the games continue, the local community will undoubtedly rally behind these young talents, hoping for a successful season ahead.