This Paradise Panthers Sports Minute is brought to you by Lowery Metals
Paradise baseball’s historic postseason journey continues Thursday in the UIL Class 3A Division II state semifinals.
The Panthers will face Wall with a trip to next week’s state championship game on the line. The winner of the series will advance to face either Franklin or Jourdanton in the state finals.
Paradise is making its first appearance in the UIL state tournament, while Wall is seeking to defend its 2025 state championship. The Hawks are making their fifth state tournament appearance.
The best-of-three semifinal series will be played at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene. Game 1 is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, followed by Game 2 at 3 p.m. Friday. A deciding Game 3, if necessary, would follow.
Region II champion Paradise enters the series with a 33-4 record. The Panthers needed three games last week to defeat Bells in the regional finals. Paradise won the opener 4-1, lost Game 2 by a 3-0 score and responded with a 10-5 victory in the deciding game.
Wall enters the semifinals with a 29-8 record after sweeping Jacksboro in the Region I finals last week.