Eric Hilton has high hopes for his 2023 Crothersville baseball team. The reason he is optimistic is because he has more players and more upperclassmen as he begins his fourth season coaching the Tigers.

“We have 16 boys this year playing baseball,” he said. “We are returning six starters from last year. This is the first time in four years that we are filled with upperclassmen.”

Heading the veterans is Lucas Hilton, the coach’s son. He was named the Tigers outstanding player last spring when he tied the school record for hits in a season with 30, set the season stolen base record with 42, and batted .517.

Hilton also received the pitching award for pitching 43 innings with 92 strike outs and posted a 4.68 earned run average.

He also received the defensive award for having a .913 defensive mark.

Coach Hilton said Lucas has his eye on setting three more school records this spring. He is 15 hits away from Mike Couch’s school record, 22 stolen bases away from Jim Land’s school mark, and is hoping to top the season record for strike outs. The current record is 106.

The seniors on the roster are Logan O’Sullivan, Cash Sawyer, Nolan Nickell and Hilton.

Coach Hilton has more pitching prospects in the past with Hilton and O’Sullivan from the seniors, Beau Napier, Blake Robinson and Corey Kelshaw.

“Freshmen Gage Howard, Jude Howard and (lefty) Kody Davis will also be seeing action.”

O’Sullivan and Gavin Wiseman will be doing the catching.

Hilton and Napier will be on the left side of the infield with Crater and Jude Howard at first base.

“Second base is still up for grabs with Nickell, Robinson and Gage Howard battling for that spot,” Hilton said.

Kelshaw, Nickell, Robinson, Sawyer, Davis, Devin Fitch, Eric Hazelwood, Kaleb Moeller, Taylor Barger and Jude Howard are outfield candidates.

“With Napier, Crater and Kelshaw being upperclassmen they should start to produce at the plate,” Hilton said. “Jude and Gage Howard are swinging hot bats as well. With Napier returning for his second season and O’Sullivan transferring back to Crothersville they will help lead the younger boys this year.”

“I’m looking forward to a great season,” Hilton added.

The Tigers are scheduled to open their season against Trinity Lutheran, on the road today, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Trinity is sitting at 1-1 on the season after losing to South Ripley 5-4, before defeating Austin 2-1 this past Saturday.

Drake Goodpaster, Jackson Trueblood and Peyton Pollert are leading Trinity with two hits a piece coming into the matchup. Goodpaster leads the team in average at .500.