This Paradise Panthers Sports Minute is brought to you by Lowery Metals
It was not a fairytale season. It was a season that accomplished its ultimate goal.
Making its first appearance in a state championship game, Paradise dominated Franklin 9-0 last Thursday to capture the Class 3A Division II state title at Dell Diamond in Round Rock.
The Panthers broke a scoreless tie with three runs in the fifth inning before putting the game away with six more runs in the sixth.
Second baseman Jake Ryan led the offense with two hits and four RBIs. Paradise also took advantage of Franklin’s struggles on the mound, drawing nine walks.
Game MVP Colton Walker turned in a dominant performance, pitching the first six innings. He scattered seven hits and struck out nine batters.
The Panthers finished the season with a 38-5 record.
The championship capped a remarkable year for Paradise athletics. The baseball title came just months after the boys basketball team won the Class 3A Division II state championship in March. The girls basketball team advanced to the state semifinals, while the football and volleyball programs each reached the state quarterfinals.
A new era now begins for Paradise with the opening of a new high school building this summer. The 2026-27 athletics calendar officially begins Aug. 1.