Sophomore leadoff hitter Kaden West smacked a two-run single in the first inning, registered a game-high three RBIs, and helped the Hopkinsville High School baseball squad to its largest offensive output of the season in Monday’s 12-2 home win over Franklin-Simpson.
After the Tigers fell behind by a run in the opening frame, the run-shortened affair lasted just five innings as Hoptown answered with a trio of runs in the second and exploded for eight in the third to pull away. It’s the first time HHS has scored a dozen runs in a regular-season contest since May 13, 2021 at Christian County.
Hopkinsville (2-3) had just six hits but took advantage of five Wildcat errors. Franklin-Simpson High School had rattled off three consecutive victories prior to the 10-run loss at Tiger Field.
After Cole Wix drove a one-out RBI single into left for an early FSHS lead in the top of the first inning, the Tigers loaded the bases in the bottom of the second and tied the game on Joseph Boor’s game-tying single. West then gave his team the lead for good on West’s aforementioned one-out single.
In the third inning, Wildcats starter Justin Jones and his control issues allowed Hoptown to take complete control. After HHS led off the frame with three consecutive walks, Lucas Kaetzel was hit by a pitch to make it 4-1. Landon Cook followed with an RBI single to continue the no-out onslaught.
Jacob Dilday, who started on the mound and finished just one out shy of a complete game, was the only Tiger to record a multi-hit game. Dilday singled twice, walked, and scored at the plate. He also struck out six, walked six, and scattered four hits in 4 2/3 innings of work. Cook got Vincent to fly out to second base to end the game.
Cook filled up the scorebook, going 1-for-1 with two runs, two walks, and an RBI. Boor and Zach Moss each scored a pair of runs in the convincing triumph. Hopkinsville drew a total of nine walks. Dalton Fiveash, who led the Wildcats with a 2-for-3 night, had an RBI double in the top of the fifth to try and spark an unsuccessful Franklin-Simpson rally.
Hopkinsville will try to win consecutive games for the first time in 2022 when the Tigers travel to South Warren on March 30. Hoptown returns home April 1 for “Fish Fry Friday” against Henderson County.
