The bullseye was on the back before a pitch was ever thrown. The defending State Runner-Up Tallulah Falls Indians had all the preseason hype, carrying a #1 ranking into their first season in GIAA, complete with a handful of Preseason All-State selections. Despite handling a lot of early adversity, TFS put together one of its best seasons in school history, delivering on the hype and embracing being the team to beat.
Coach Justin Pollock dealt with a rash of injuries on the team, including losing reigning Region Player of the Year and All-State outfielder Danny Grant after just a few games. Grant’s injury sidelined him for nearly the whole season, but he is on track to play at South Georgia State College next spring. Meanwhile, Tallulah Falls overcame a tough 2-6 start against some powerhouse programs.
A 3-game sweep of George Walton Academy was a launching pad, as the Indians won six in a row, highlighted by a record three straight shutouts. The campaign featured a Spring Break trip to Hilton Head (SC), where the team split against Hilton Head Prep and Hilton Head Christian Academy. Again, the Indians got hot with a eight consecutive victories to set a new school record. That included a win over #1-ranked Gatewood, and against #3 Dominion Christian.
TFS was 21-11 overall and 14-4 in region, earning Runner-Up status for the second time in as many years. A tough home matchup with Stratford in the Round of 12 state playoffs marked the end of the road, but Tallulah Falls had one of its best seasons in history when the dust settled. The 20-win mark was reached for the second time ever, and a fourth playoff run in five years has made the program an annual contender.
A senior-heavy team included All-Region selections BJ Carver, Diego Gonzalez, Chase Pollock, and Justin Smith (all 1st Team), and Cole Bonitatibus (2nd Team). Junior Ashton Roache was also a 1st Team selection. Roache, who committed recently to the University of California, set all-time records in homeruns (10), runs (88), stolen bases (64), and walks (51). He led the Indians with a .423 batting average.
Pollock finished as the all-time wins (19) and ERA (2.15) leader for TFS, and closed with 85 career hits (3rd most) and 63 RBI (2nd). He added six wins this season to the tune of a 1.77 ERA. Bonitatibus had seven wins to finish his career with 18, and leaves as the all-time strikeout leader (221). Gonzalez, Carver, Smith, Andrew Skvarka, Robert Grant, and Wyatt Franks made large contributions to the team once again, while junior Cash Unruh and sophomores Drew Barron and Jordan Miller had breakout seasons. Junior Brantley Allen and sophomore William NeSmith also got some key moments to shine as well.
The most successful senior class in TFS baseball history left an indelible mark for those to follow. Pollock’s building of the program includes 85 wins, four playoff runs, two Region Runner-Ups, a State Runner-Up, Sweet 16, and three state-ranked teams, while earning 21 state top-10 wins.
TEAM LEADERS
AVG– .423 – Ashton Roache
HR– 3 – Ashton Roache
RBI– 29 – Justin Smith & Chase Pollock
R– 38 – Ashton Roache
SB– 35 – Ashton Roache
W– 7 – Cole Bonitatibus
ERA– 1.77 – Chase Pollock
K– 61 – Chase Pollock
SV– 3 – Drew Barron
