Zach Moss threw a four-hit shutout, Preston Chaudoin and Logan Durst each drove in three runs, and the Hopkinsville High School baseball team dominated a matchup between two of the 2nd Region’s top squads Thursday afternoon with a decisive 11-0 victory at Henderson County.
Respectively ranked Nos. 2 and 3 in the regional RPI category, Hoptown and Henderson locked up in a possible preview of the upcoming 2nd Region Tournament, but it was all Tigers in the road matinee. Moss (2-1) was dealing in the win, striking out seven and walking just one to pick up the five-inning decision. For Henderson, it was just the second loss in 10 games against 2nd Region opposition.
Offensively, Chaudoin, who stole four bases, started the scoring with an RBI single in the first inning and later gave HHS a 9-0 advantage with a two-run double in the top of the fifth. Durst, who went 2-for-3 with two runs, two RBIs, made it 10-0 with a sacrifice fly, followed by a score-capping RBI single by Jacob Dilday, who went 2-for-2 with two walks. Leadoff hitter Ryan Myers finished 2-for-3 and scored a game-high three runs.
The Colonels (18-13) had won four of their last five contests coming in but had no answer for Hopkinsville. Moss induced a pair of key double plays to keep Henderson out of rhythm. Seth Givens hit a one-out double in the bottom of the fourth, giving HCHS its only extra-base hit of the game, but he was stranded at second after a strikeout and line out to end any chance of a threat.
Starter Bryce Hayden (0-2) was knocked out of the game after 2 2/3 innings on the mound. He gave up four hits, four runs, and five walks. Henderson pitchers surrendered a total of 10 free passes in the loss, including two walks each from Moss, Dilday, Landon Snyder, and Blake Baltrop.
Hoptown (18-9) will wrap up its regular season May 28 with its third straight road game — a matchup against 4th Region favorite Bowling Green. The Purples (28-4) have won seven straight games. The top-seeded Tigers will open 8th District Tournament play at 2:30 p.m. on May 31 at Christian County against No. 4 Fort Campbell.
