After capturing the program’s first 8th-District title in seven years last season, the Hopkinsville Tigers return with a strong pitching staff intent on repeating in the district and challenging in the region in 2022.
First-year coach David Weber takes over from Blake Leach after five seasons at the helm that included a region title in 2019.
Leach left the cupboard well-stocked, led by a group of accomplished senior pitchers and a precocious sophomore who has already committed to the University of Kentucky after a stellar freshman campaign.
Preston Chaudoin was 4-0 in eight starts for the Tigers last season, posting a 1.45 ERA. He struck out 92 batters in 53 innings, 20 more innings pitched than any other player.
A pair of Rend Lake commits, Jacob Dilday and Tim Cansler, will also be called upon to take their turn on the mound. Dilday was 4-2 in six starts as a junior, ringing up 40 strikeouts in 33.2 innings pitched with a 3.12 ERA. Cansler made five starts with a 2.96 ERA, striking out 37 in 26 innings pitched.
Sophomore outfielder Zach Moss has already committed to Kentucky after a freshman season that saw him lead the Tigers in batting average (.467), hits (42), and home runs (2). Moss was also second with 30 RBI and only struck out 13 times in 90 at-bats. He was 4-2 with a 4.30 ERA on the mound, striking out 41 in just under 30 innings of work.
Chaudoin excelled at the dish as well, finishing second on the team in average (.393) and home runs (2) with only nine strikeouts in 89 at-bats. He also made his mark on the base paths, stealing 24 bases in 26 attempts and scoring 36 runs.
Dilday will also be looked to for offensive contribution after batting .329 as a junior, as will Cansler (.280), senior Landon Cook (.313.), and sophomore Kaden West (.281).
Hopkinsville opens the season at home against Marshall County on Monday. The Marshals topped the Tigers 8-6 last year.
After taking part in the Donnie Everett Classic at Clarksville High School on April 7-9, Hopkinsville opens district play on April 15 at Christian County. The Tigers swept the Colonels last year on the way to a perfect 8-0 district record.
YSE’s Scott Brown recently spoke to Coach Weber about the upcoming season.
