Special to the Herald

Roanoke Rapids High School Senior Pitcher Tyler Deloach signs a letter of intent to play baseball at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington next season. Pictured seated (left to right): Debbie Deloach (mother), Tyler Deloach and Ronnie Deloach (father). Pictured standing (left to right): RRHS Head Coach Mark Snead, and RRHS Assistant Coach Henry Bridgers. Contributed Photo | Daily Herald Advertisement

ROANOKE RAPIDS— It is the dream of every high school athlete to play their sport on the college level. A local athlete has made that dream a reality. Roanoke Rapids High School baseball player Tyler Deloach has signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the UNC-Wilmington Seahawks next year. Deloach is the son of Ronnie and Debbie Deloach. He has grown up playing baseball in the Roanoke Rapids recreations leagues, Chaloner Middle School, and currently at Roanoke Rapids High School. Roanoke Rapids Head Coach Mark Snead said, “We are all so proud of Tyler. He is a wonderful young man from a great family. I am so happy that all the hard work and dedication of Tyler and his family have paid off.”

Deloach has been the ace of the Roanoke Rapids staff the past two seasons. As a sophomore Deloach led the team in wins, strikeouts and ERA on his way to earning all-conference honors. As a junior he was even more dominating.  He went undefeated for the season while compiling 80 strikeouts in 35 innings on his way to a paltry 0.93 ERA. 

“The last two seasons we have seen Tyler become a better pitcher with each start. He learns from each outing. He continues to develop into one of the best pitchers in the state,” said Snead. 

Standing at 6’6”— Deloach presents an imposing figure on the mound. He backs up this image with an array of pitches that keeps opposing hitters on the defensive.  Deloach throws a fastball that reaches the upper 80’s, a nasty curveball, and a change-up with diving movement. This alone would be enough to win most high school games, but as Coach Snead added, “It is Tyler’s attitude on the mound that makes him special. He has developed a bulldog mentality on the mound. He goes after hitters and believes he can compete with anybody.”

In UNCW, Deloach has chosen a strong Division I program in which to continue his baseball career. 

Last year the Seahawks, led by Head Coach Mark Scalf, won a school record 44 games including 21 in a row. This led the Seahawks to a national top 25 ranking for most of the year. 

The team won the Colonial Athletic Association conference title and made the NCAA tournament.  In this tournie they finished second to UNC-Chapel Hill in the Chapel Hill Regional. A strong program and solid coaching led Deloach to his college decision.

“UNCW has a great baseball tradition,” Deloach said.  “The coaching staff is excellent. They made me feel at home when talking with them. I just knew that UNCW was the right place for me as a student and a baseball player.” 

When asked what he expects when he joins the UNCW team next year Deloach added, “I just hope to go down there and get better as a baseball player. They have a great group of players down there right now and I just hope I can continue to develop and be able to contribute as much as possible.”

While the thoughts of going to college are attractive, Deloach knows he still has work to do on the high school level. 

“I am glad this decision is behind me. Now I can concentrate on my last season here at RRHS. I just want to help us go as far as we can in the state playoffs this year.”