
When they topped Caldwell County to take the 2nd Region baseball title in 2019, the Hopkinsville Tigers couldn’t have known their reign would last two years due to the loss of the 2020 season to COVID. Had they taken the field last season, the Tigers would have been one of the favorites to lift the trophy again with 9 significant contributors returning.
Two of the top performers from Hoptown’s first region-title team since 2015 missed out on their senior seasons in 2020. Layne Jorgensen was 2nd on the team with a .364 batting average, collecting 40 hits and driving in a team-high 30 runs. Caleb Bapp hit .327 and led the team in walks (20), doubles (10), and home runs (2).
Senior shortstop Ryan Myers leads the returnees after hitting .295 as a sophomore and driving in 21 runs. His 20 stolen bases led the team and his 33 hits were fourth-most. Landon Snyder returns at 3rd base, Blake Balthrop is back as a DH and outfielder, and Logan Durst is back on the mound and as an infielder after pitching in 7 games as a sophomore with a 2.63 ERA.
2nd baseman and pitcher Preston Chaudoin appears positioned for a big junior season after a busy and successful offseason. In addition to starting at 2nd as a freshman for the region title team, he led the squad with 9 starts on the mound. His 50.2 innings pitched also led the Tigers and his 53 strikeouts were 2nd-most. Chaudoin finished with a 5-2 record and a 2.90 ERA.
Junior Jacob Dilday will split his time between the mound and behind the plate. He made 4 starts as a freshman, pitching 34.2 innings and picking up 3 saves. He finished 3-2 with a 2.62 ERA. Junior lefty Tim Cansler made 10 appearances in 2019, including 3 starts, with a 5.91 ERA.
A pair of underclassmen round out the Tigers’ core, with sophomore outfielder Kaden West flashing his potential with a home run in an opening-night win over Fort Campbell. Freshman 3-sport standout Zach Moss will get his turn on the mound while also contributing at 1st base.
After breezing through their opener against Fort Campbell, the Tigers’ will return to the field on Thursday when they host Marshall County. On April 15 the Tigers renew their rivalry with 8th-District foes Christian County, with a tantalizing meeting with fellow 2nd-Region heavyweights Lyon County coming a week later.
After the win over the Falcons, Coach Blake Leach previewed the upcoming campaign.