Opening day for the Hopkinsville High School baseball team will look much different than it did a year ago, but Head Coach Malcolm Tipler is hoping for the same result in the end.
The Tigers lost starting pitcher JJ Thompson, first baseman Zach Moss, and utility player Lucas Kaetzel from last year’s squad, which finished 23-10 and won the Region 2 championship.
Thompson was the team’s ace and is currently pitching for Wright State University. His loss will affect the Tigers most, although Tipler said he has some good arms back this season.
Leading the way on the mound will be junior Andrew Mayes and he will get help from senior Gavin Powell, sophomore Gavin Mitchell, and junior Jayden Kellum, who returned after missing last season.
Mayes went 7-3 with a 1.81 ERA and 65 strikeouts last season. Mitchell finished 5-1 with a 1.96 ERA.
Thompson (.355, 5 HR, 24 RBI) and Moss (.352, 22 RBI) along with Kaetzel, who was second on the team in home runs with four, will be the bats most missed by the Tigers this year.
However, sophomore Dylan Sweeney hit .282 and led the team with 29 RBI a year ago. Powell and Mayes also hope to be key hitters in the middle of the Tigers’ lineup.
Hoptown also is looking for help from the DH spot from eighth grader Josh Embry, sophomore Jackson Guier, and senior Aiden King.
Tipler, who is in his second year as head coach of the program, said his team won’t be much on power, but he does plan to play small ball and put pressure on the defense.
Defensively, the Tigers should be solid with Sweeney at shortstop, sophomore second baseman Chase Fort, Layton Lindsey in left field, freshman Griffen Meacham in right field and freshman Jonathon Payne at first base.
The Tigers open the season Monday night against Region 2 favorite Lyon County at Tiger Field. It starts a two-week start that includes games against Daviess County, University Heights Academy, and West Creek, Tenn.
With a mix of experienced and younger players, Tipler said the key for this year’s team is not to try and do too much.
District 8 will be tough again for the Tigers, as they will battle against UHA and Christian County for the top of the standings. Hoptown will open district play on March 25 at home against UHA.
2025 Hopkinsville Tigers
Coach: Malcolm Tipler (2nd Year)
2024 Record: 23-10
Key Losses: JJ Thompson (P/OF), Zach Moss (1B/DH), Lucas Kaetzel (1B).
Key Returners: Gavin Powell (3B), Andrew Mayes (P), Dylan Sweeney (P/SS), Gavin Mitchell (P/C), Chase Fort (2B).
Key Newcomers: Griffen Meacham (OF), Jonathon Payne (1B).
Opening Day Lineup:
P – Mayes
C – Mitchell
1B – Payne
2B – Fort
3B – Powell
SS – Sweeney
LF – Layton Lindsey
CF – Jayden Kellum
RF – Meacham
DH – Josh Embry, Jackson Guier, or Aiden King
Photo by Joe Wilson