Senior Mason Stewart Photos by Kyle Thornton

Tigers fall to St. Paul's to end turnaround season

By Michael Butler

Tallassee's baseball season came to a close on Friday night in the second round of the Class 5A playoffs at Southside Field. The Tigers were swept by St. Paul's of Mobile, 16-4 and 4-3.

"The number one goal this year was to make the playoffs," THS head coach John Goodman said. "It was a big bonus making the second round."

Tallassee finished the year with a 12-15 record, tripling its win total from a season ago. Goodman noted that grabbing some post-season action will help moving the program forward.

"Experience is the key. You can tell them about it, but they need to live it."

The Tigers reached the playoffs for the first time since 2018, winning their first post-season series since 2017.

St. Paul's proved too much with their bats in game one pounding out 16 hits including five homeruns. Jackson Rhodes (4-4) took the loss.

It was 12-0 before Tallassee got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth after an error by the Saints allowed Cade Everson to cross home plate.

Brady Mason led the Tigers at the dish going 2-for-3. Jacob Patterson, Chase Chumley, Chase Webster, Cash Gough and Everson added one hit each.

Ninth grader John Stowers got the win for St. Paul's (23-8) and hit two homers in the process. Edward McLeod had two more long balls. Taylor O'Dell had another. McLeod added his third dinger of the day in the second game.

The nightcap was tight throughout but Stowers got the call to come in and close it. He earned the save for O'Dell by striking out the side in the seventh.

Cade Everson scores in game two

Tallassee took the early advantage with a two-run first. Cade Everson tripled scoring Mason Stewart and scored himself on a wild throw to the plate.

It was even at 2-2 after two and the Saints led 4-2 through four. Tallassee drew to within one when Bry Hathcock scored from third on a passed ball in the top of the fifth, but that was as close as the Tigers would get.

Stewart and Everson had two hits each. Mason and Rhodes had one hit apiece. Mason (2-2) took the defeat on the mound.

"I really want to thank all the people that made this past series special," Goodman added, "from the Thursday night supper, decorating the locker room, to all the fans that came to cheer on the Tigers. It was truly amazing. Thank you for an incredible season. Expecting more next year. Go Tigers!"

*Photos by Kyle Thornton

Schedule/Results