Paradise Rallies Past Wall, Advances to First State Title Game

After a weather delay, a venue change, a dominant shutout, a series-evening loss and a four-run deficit in the deciding game, Paradise still found a way.

The Panthers completed a dramatic three-game state semifinals finals victory over defending state champions Wall on Friday night, rallying from behind to earn an 11-8 win in Game 3 and punch their ticket to the first baseball state championship appearance in program history.

Paradise appeared to seize control of the series in Game 1.

After weather forced a lengthy delay and a change in venue, Kaden Hammonds delivered one of the biggest performances of the season. The Panthers' ace blanked Wall on the mound, leading Paradise to a shutout victory and putting the Panthers one win away from Austin.

Wall refused to go quietly.

Facing elimination in Game 2, the Hawks responded with an offensive explosion. Wall pounded out five extra-base hits and evened the series, forcing a decisive Game 3 with a trip to the state tournament on the line.

The winner-take-all matchup delivered plenty of drama.

Paradise grabbed an early 2-0 lead in the first inning before Wall answered with three runs in the second. The Panthers tied the game at 3-3 in the bottom half of the inning and reclaimed a 4-3 advantage in the third on a Hogan Henderson RBI single.

The lead didn't last long.

Wall erupted in the fourth inning, highlighted by a two-run homer from Kellan Oliver and a two-run single from Stephen Laney. The Hawks suddenly found themselves in front 7-4 and appeared to have all the momentum.

Paradise never panicked.

The Panthers chipped away in the fifth inning, tying the game at 7-7 after Carter Mara delivered a run-scoring double. Wall briefly regained the lead in the sixth when an error allowed the Hawks to move ahead 8-7.

Once again, Paradise responded.

With the season hanging in the balance, the Panthers delivered the decisive rally in the bottom of the sixth. Henderson lined a double down the left-field line to drive in two runs, and Jake Ryan added a sacrifice fly to extend the lead, putting Paradise in front 11-8.

Ryan then took care of the rest.

The Paradise reliever shut down Wall over the final innings, allowing just two runs, one earned, across 3 2/3 innings while striking out four. His effort preserved the comeback and sent the Panthers to Dell Diamond.

Paradise's offense produced 12 hits in the victory. Camden Walker led the way with a perfect 3-for-3 performance, collecting a double, two singles and two stolen bases. Henderson finished with three RBIs, while Madden Taylor added two hits.

Wall collected nine hits of its own. Laney drove in four runs, while Oliver, Laney and Lawson Dankworth each recorded two hits.

For Paradise, however, the final out meant far more than a regional championship.

After surviving weather delays, momentum swings and a fierce challenge from one of Class 3A's top programs, the Panthers are headed to the state tournament for the first time in school history.

The state appearance adds to what has already been a historic year for Paradise athletics. Just three months ago, the Panthers earned their first-ever boys basketball state tournament appearance and went on to capture the first state championship in school history.

Now, Paradise has a chance to add another trophy to the school's growing collection.

The Panthers will make their first baseball state championship game appearance Thursday at 7 p.m. when they face top-ranked Franklin at Dell Diamond in Round Rock, looking to cap a remarkable season with another state title.