Experienced group of baseball Hounds ready to take the field for spring season

As we enter into the month of March, the official start to the 2024 high school baseball season is now just days away. Among the area teams chomping at the bit to get back out onto the diamond are the Corbin Redhounds, who will once again be considered a top contender in the 13th Region.

“The guys are excited, and ready to get on the field,” said Head Coach Cody Philpot recently, adding that, although work to install a new turf playing surface has been running a little behind schedule, his players have still been able to get reps in at the school’s football stadium.

“We’re getting a lot of work done down at the field,” Philpot said of the ongoing work. “It’s going to be close, but I think that we should be okay for the start of the season.”

Philpot said that utilizing the turf football field in recent weeks has helped his players to get used to the feel of that type of surface, but he is looking forward to being able to put together more “game-like situations” once the baseball field is ready to be played on.

As for returning personnel, Philpot said that the 2024 Redhounds will feature an abundance of experience on the roster, with four seniors – Jeremiah Gilbert, Walker Landrum, Bradric Helton and Mikey Neal – leading the charge.

“All four of those guys are every day players,” Philpot said of his seniors. “Mikey will be behind the plate most days, and will be a leader for us in that position. Walker will be back at first base, and Jeremiah is kind of a do-it-all type of talent. He is one of the most versatile guys that I’ve ever coached. Bradric is one of our most reliable outfielders, and he will be out there on the mound for us as well. We are very blessed with those four talents.”

Helton and Landrum have already signed college letters of intent for baseball, while Neal recently inked with Eastern Kentucky University for football. Philpot said that Gilbert should have some opportunities to compete at the next level as well, should he choose to do so.

These four, along with other key returning starters such as Noah Cima, Cruz Cima, Kade Elam, Cam Estep, and others, give Corbin baseball one of the most capable rosters in this part of the state. Last year, the team won 26 games, including a 50th District championship. They ended the season as region runner-up after a loss to the eventual KHSAA state champion Whitley County Colonels.

The Redhounds will open up their 2024 campaign on the road against George Rogers Clark on March 12. Their season home opener is scheduled for March 16 against Tates Creek.