By Michael Butler

The last two Tallassee High School baseball teams have reached the state quarterfinals. Last year’s group went 23-12 and graduated 12 seniors.

“If we could’ve gotten one hit last year, I think we would’ve had a shot at the finals,” said John Goodman, who will begin his 20th season overall as the THS skipper on Feb. 19 versus Wetumpka. “It’s been fun to get back where we need to be. Hopefully, we can get back and a little further this year.”

Tallassee topped Bibb County 8-1 in the first game of the third round last year but dropped the next two in the season-ending series 3-1 and 2-0. The Choctaws reached the state championship series in Class 4A falling to Deshler.

“This team is excited and will be fun to watch,” Goodman said. “There is so much youth in it.”

The Tigers return two-time all-state catcher Brue Milner, who led the team in batting average (.489), on-base percentage (.607), hits (45), homeruns (5) and RBIs (40). The Georgia Tech signee is a junior.

“Brue is bigger, stronger and quicker than he’s ever been. Every time he hits a ball he’s finding the barrel. He is playing his best ball right now.”

Defensively, Milner threw out 12 runners in 2025. He threw out 10 more during his freshman season.

“It takes a lot off of our pitchers,” said Goodman. “The pitchers really respond to him. They’re not scared to throw any pitch anywhere.”

Tallassee does have experience with its pitching staff. Seniors Jack Butler and Brandon Goodman, along with junior Abram Whittington, logged significant innings last season.

“Jack and Brandon have to hold down everything. Abram is a great arm for us.”

The team earned run average was 3.72 last year. Whittington led the team in that category with a 1.75 ERA over 32 innings including 21 strikeouts and 7 walks. He was 2-1. Butler went 3-2 with an ERA of 2.95 over 40 1/3 innings striking out 32 and walking 10. Goodman was 2-0 and had an ERA of 3.0 in seven innings of work with 7 strikeouts and 5 walks.

Brandon Goodman is the coach’s son.

“Brandon is like my shadow. He’s grown. He’s doing a real good job for us.”

Goodman expects to have 10-12 pitchers contribute on the varsity.

“(We’ve) got Hudson Timmerman. We’ve got four left handers. Conner Campbell moved in this year. Hamp Love has come up. We’ve got Avery (Brantley). We’ve got a bunch that can really go.

“Our pitching is going to keep us in ball games. We’re going to be young on defense. Hitting, we’ve got a lot of work to do. It’s getting better. If we can get all nine hitting and fill in the gaps, this team could be special.”

2026 Schedule