Pitching is the name of the game when it comes to the top teams in the YSE Baseball Super 7. With the region deep in talent, teams that can consistently find the strike zone and get guys out will likely find their way to the top when the dust settles.
1) Christian County (20-13) – The Colonels struggled to get going offensively early in 2018 but scored six or more runs in 13 of their final 17 games on they way to the region title. With the return of eight starters and their top three pitchers, Christian County opens 2019 atop the YSE Super 7. When they are raking, they are a scary good team.
2) Union County (19-21) – The Braves were a mercurial bunch in 2018 that got hot at the right time and rode their arms to the region title game. They lose region player of the year Trey Hutchison but return top of the region’s top pitchers in Cade Duncan and Coy Burns.
3) Madisonville (17-17) – The Maroons may still be a year away from being considered a favorite for the region title, but they do have the pieces in place to make a run in 2018. They will need a stronger finish than last year where they lost nine of their last 11 games.
4) Henderson County (21-11) – The Colonels scored 10 or more runs 14 times last year but will count on pitching and defense to carry them further in 2019. The return of Ian Pitt and Jake Murdach at the plate still gives Henderson some pop at the plate and makes them a contender once again.
5) Caldwell County (23-7) – The Tigers lost some key pieces from a team that won the All-A Region title before getting derailed by Union County in the region. Pitching depth behind their top two starters will be the difference in winning a district title or finishing as runner-up.
6) Hopkinsville (9-22) – The Tigers could surprise some teams in the region this year. Like Christian County, they return all but one starter and all of their pitching from last year. Little things and defense will determine where the Tigers finish in the region pack this year.
7) Lyon County (12-14) – The Lyons return their top two players and a solid nucleus of young players for first-year coach Ricky Baker. There will be some growing pains for this club, but the Lyons could be a dangerous team come postseason if they develop throughout the season.
