WILLIAMSBURG — Ranked second in the state while owning Kentucky’s top RPI rating, the 50th District and 13th Region champions enter the state tournament with a program-record 38 wins and just three losses — giving coach Jeremy Shope every reason to believe his Colonels can capture a second state baseball championship in four years.
“I always like our chances going into a tournament,” Shope said. “My coaching staff does a fabulous job getting our guys ready. We understand how cruel baseball can be especially in a single elimination tournament. It’s also rewarding because I firmly believe that it can prepare you for life. Don’t take yourself too serious, some things are out of our control.
“I feel like we have as good a chance to get this thing done as any other of the 15 regional winners,” he added. “We had the number one RPI in the state. Our guys are prepared. Now we just have to go out and have fun. If we play good baseball we will have a shot. That’s all you can ask for.”
Shope said he and his coaching staff are proud of all of the accomplishments his team has captured.
“Our coaching staff is super-proud of our program,” he said. “It’s been years of hard work in the making. We have a lot of proud alumni. That is who we play for. We play for the person next to us, our community, our school, and our alumni. We will also play for the 13th Region and all the 606. Hopefully we can continue to make people proud.”
The key to his team’s success could very well be the tough slate the Colonels have played.
“Our strength has been what it takes to win big games,” Shope admitted. “Our pitching and defense has been outstanding. We have also improved offensively. We’ve gotten stronger and confident. We have different ways to win which really helps come tournament time. We can bunt, run bases to create havoc. Very important this time of year when someone’s dude is on the mound.”
