The Record Smasher - Ashton Roache

There's something bittersweet about going from pencil to permanent ink. When the final out of the 2026 season came for the TFS Indians, Ashton Roache's high school baseball career came to a close. He entered the final campaign near the top of every statistical records list, and with each passing game, he moved up — and in most cases, out of reach.

The final tallies are in, all his numbers are now in ink, and several school records are cemented in place for the foreseeable future. Ashton came to Tallulah Falls from Nassau, Bahamas as an 8th-grader and made an immediate impression on the diamond. He played JV that first season, and launched one unforgettable homerun to right on the grass that all who were there will remember. That was merely a sign of things to come.

Fast forward four years, and Roache now has his name etched in every offensive category. He owns three single-game, six single-season, and nine career records. Of the 10 major offensive categories, he has nine of the all-time marks (hits, homeruns, RBI, runs, doubles, triples, stolen bases, walks, and hit by pitches). The lone mark he leaves behind is Devon Mayfield's ('10) .506 career average.

Roache is third in that list with a .382 mark, but holds the record at TFS in hits (113), homeruns (14), RBI (86), runs (135), doubles (33), triples (7), stolen bases (92), walks (69), and HBP (45).

"It's a blessing," exclaims Ashton on setting all the marks. "My objective was never to break any records. I just wanted to be the best that I can be. The 113 career hits is probably the most important to me."

Roache's accolades include being a 3-time All-Region and 2-time All-State selection. He helped TFS to 74 wins over four years, including a State Runner-Up finish in 2024 and four playoff runs. He was one of just a couple of holdovers from last year's 21-win team, and relished the opportunity to be the veteran leader this time around.

"Knowing that this would be a growing season for the team, I knew I had to step up as a leader — especially vocally. I was always encouraging and reminding the boys to have fun. I believe in leading by action, but this season I had to lead by both action and also my words."

That leadership pays dividends moving forward for the Indians who will be coming back next year, as well as Roache as he continues past TFS. He has a lot of great moments and memories to pull from, but he's quick to pick what he'll remember most.

"The fact that I didn't quit or give up on myself after having a terrible freshman year," says Ashton.

Shrugging off that 2023 season that was subpar to his own expectations, he obliterated the record books the next three seasons. His senior season was his best yet - he hit a career-high .483 with four homers, and had 36 RBI, 47 runs, and 16 doubles (all school records), and swiped 28 bases. He also had four wins on the mound, sporting a respectable 3.83 ERA.

Safe to say, Ashton Roache's name will be anchored at the top of nearly every all-time record for quite some time. The saying goes, records were made to be broken. Roache broke them all - and now it's someone else's turn to take aim. For now, Ashton sets sail for the next level.

"As of now, I will be going to the University of California - Berkeley to continue my academic and baseball career, but if God wants to open another door then I'm sure He will."