Pair of Murray State Racers join Hoppers

A pair of Murray State Racers, including a former Caldwell County High School standout, were announced to the 2018 Hoptown Hoppers roster Wednesday.

Southpaw Shane Burns, who helped Caldwell win a regional championship, will be on the mound for Hoptown this summer.

“Shane will be our lone incoming college player on the team,” said first-year Hoppers manager Brock Moss. “I think this speaks volumes to the amount of talent that he has.”

The Princeton native is ranked as the fifth-best high school prospect in the state by Perfect Game. Burns brings a power arm from the left side.

“He’s arguably one of the better high school pitchers in western Kentucky and he will be a good addition to the Hoppers,” Moss said.

Joining Burns is MSU teammate Nate Pianto, another left-handed pitcher, who played high school baseball at John Paul II in Nashville.

“Nate is a rarity in college baseball and by that I mean because of how he throws,” Moss said. “He’s a left-hander who throws from down under. The submariner will be a very tough arm out of the bullpen, especially on left-handed hitters.

“The arm angle from the left side is unique and he will provide quality innings for us.”

Hoptown Hoppers season tickets are currently on sale for $90 and can be purchased at the Kentucky New Era front desk.

The new Ohio Valley League season begins May 31. Home games will be played at Christian County High School’s Colonel Field in 2018.