Hopkinsville senior baseball player Preston Chaudoin has been a mainstay in the Tigers’ lineup since his 8th-grade year in 2018 due to talent, hard work, and determination. During that span, Preston has been a crucial part of a Tiger turnaround that has seen a jump in victories each season, a 2nd-Region title in 2019, and an 8th-District crown in 2021.
Preston has improved personally as well, hitting .237 as a freshman with a 2.90 ERA on the mound and 53 strikeouts and 23 walks, to a .393 average with a pair of home runs, 28 RBI, and a 1.45 ERA with 92 strikeouts and 26 walks as a junior. In addition to being named to both the All-District and All-Region teams, he made the KHSAA All-State 2nd Team in 2021.
As any high-level athlete knows, the groundwork for success happens in the off-season, and Preston has paid his dues on the travel baseball circuit. He is a three-time Baseball Factory Preseason All-American, a Perfect Game Preseason All-American Honorable Mention, and a 2020 PBR Futures Game Participant.
While all that might seem to leave little time for other pursuits, Preston is as well-rounded as he is successful. He’s a dual credit student at Hopkinsville Community College, a Christian County Public Schools All-In Student, a Key Club and Beta Club member, and a Fellowship of Christian Athletes team leader.
Preston’s exploits on the diamond recently led to his commitment to continue his career at Murray State University, but academics weighed heavily in his decision. He credits his parents with his focus on the classroom and helping him develop a love of math and science. Preston was a 2019 Academic All-American and boasts a 32 composite/33 superscore on the ACT and is on track to graduate with a GPA above 4.4. He plans to major in biology in a pre-med pathway in hopes of going to graduate school and becoming a radiologist.
For Preston, baseball and academics go hand-in-hand, as they both “demand a good work ethic as well as consistency.” In addition, he has a passion for the statistical side of baseball, which gives him insight into his teammates and opponents. Naturally friendly and outgoing, Preston relishes his connections with other players and coaches throughout the region and state.
