Behind a dozen drawn walks on offense and 13 combined strikeouts by its pitchers, the Hopkinsville High School baseball squad won its first district game of the season Monday with a 7-3 home victory over Fort Campbell.
Having lost two in a row and eight of their last nine games overall, the Tigers pounced early on offense and then let Lucas Kaetzel take over with a sensational performance on the mound. Kaetzel (1-3) picked up his first win after striking out nine, walking none and allowing just one hit in five scoreless innings.
The Falcons managed to score all three of their runs during a comeback attempt in the seventh inning, highlighted by a two-out, two-run double from Ayden Moore, but reliever Gavin Mitchell hung tough and finished off his two innings of relief to earn his first save. Mitchell had four strikeouts and allowed the one hit.
At the plate, Hopkinsville used a strong eye to create opportunities. Seven different Tigers drew at least one base on ball. Zach Moss was responsible for a game-high three walks. Kaetzel had the lone HHS RBI with a bases-loaded walk in the first inning to give his team a 1-0 lead. The Tigers also scored four of their runs off five Falcon errors.
JJ Thompson (0-for-3, two runs, walk, two stolen bases) and Dylan Sweeney (0-for-2, two runs, two walks, two stolen bases) set the tone atop the Hoptown order. Gavin Powell and Christopher Medina had the lone HHS hits.
Ethan Egner (1-3) allowed eight of the 12 walks for FCHS. He went 3 1/3 innings and gave up two hits and four runs, while striking out two. William Lubas had four strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings of relief. Fort Campbell (2-13) has dropped nine games in a row.
Hoptown (5-12), in the midst of playing four straight 8th District matchups, will try for another win over the Falcons at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at FCHS. The Tigers will then travel to a Christian County for a rematch with the Colonels on Friday evening. CCHS defeated HHS 3-0 on April 14.
