State Semifinal Preview: Leopards Swing for State

Only four teams remain in the chase for the 2A state title, and the battle in Abilene features a showdown between two red-hot programs. The New Home Leopards, Region I champs and 2023 state finalists, are back with unfinished business after dominating their playoff run. Standing in their way are the Tom Bean Tomcats, a scrappy and explosive squad that’s rolled through the Region II bracket behind elite pitching and timely offense. With a trip to the State Championship on the line, expect a high-level clash between two teams built for big moments.

🐆 New Home: Unfinished Business and a Championship-Caliber Run

New Home Leopards Regional Champs

The Leopards are two wins away from a return to the State Championship game—and they’ve looked the part of a title contender all postseason long.

Graham Stanford [Parker Liles for Sideline Sports]

In the Regional Final sweep of New Deal, New Home used explosive first innings in both games to seize control early. In Game 1, the top of the order was locked in, with Ryder Watkins, Bransen Beckham, and Jair Johnson all delivering extra-base RBI hits in a 5-run opening frame. Graham Stanford went the distance on the mound, tossing 7 innings and striking out six.

Game 2 saw Avin Madrid take the ball and match Stanford's dominance. The senior allowed just one earned run while striking out eight in a complete game effort. Beckham’s 2-RBI double and Hunter Burrell’s 3-hit day powered the offense to a 6-2 win and the Region I crown.

New Home enters the State Semifinals riding a 10-game win streak and is playing its best baseball of the year at the right time.

🔍 What to Watch For

• Playoff Power Surge: New Home is averaging over 11 runs per game through the playoffs, including double-digit scoring in four of their first five contests. Whether it’s Ryder Starkey going deep three times in a game or a 10-run sixth-inning explosion vs Olton, this lineup is relentless.

  
  

• Multi-Ace Rotation: The Leopards bring a rare luxury to the state tournament — three reliable arms. Graham Stanford has been a steady force with multiple complete games. Tucker Cotton has dealt in both starts and relief, including a 10-strikeout shutout vs Olton. And now with Avin Madrid joining the mix in the Regional Final, the staff is even deeper at the perfect time.

  
  

• Clean Defense + Clutch Leadership: New Home has yet to commit an error in any playoff game. With veteran leaders like Ryder Starkey, Hunter Burrell, Cooper Brown and Ryder Watkins, and this group plays with the calm, veteran presence of a team that’s been here before—because they have.

🐾 Tom Bean: Riding Momentum with Arms, Grit, and Big Innings

The Tomcats arrive in Abilene with momentum of their own after sweeping Alvord in the Regional Finals and riding a postseason wave that’s featured dominant pitching, timely hitting, and relentless pressure on the base paths.

In Game 1 vs. Alvord, Cash Linder collected three hits and three RBIs while Keaton Reed pitched five solid innings to fuel an 11-1 win. Game 2 was more of the same as Tom Bean exploded for a 6-run second inning and never looked back. Linder again earned the win, striking out six in a 5-inning shutout.

Through the playoffs, the Tomcats have gotten big contributions from Linder, Reed, Braylin Barrett, Ryan DeArmond, and Donnie Hooten, showing off one of the most balanced lineups in 2A baseball. They’ve scored 10+ runs in 4 of their last 6 games, and have proven they can win tight battles or blowouts alike.

🔍 What to Watch For

• Elite Arms at Work: The 1-2 punch of Keaton Reed and Cash Linder has stifled opponents all postseason. Reed has thrown a 7-inning no-hitter, and Linder has back-to-back playoff starts allowing one run or less. Their ability to navigate the New Home lineup could define this series.

  
  

• Aggressive, Opportunistic Offense: The Tomcats thrive on pressure. They’ve scored 10+ runs in 4 playoff games, often exploding with one big inning. From Barrett and Hooten’s speed to Sharp and Pearson’s clutch hitting, they force mistakes and capitalize.

  
  

• Defensive Discipline: Tom Bean has turned at least 8 double plays in the postseason and routinely makes the routine plays. In a tight game, that level of consistency could tip the scale.

🎯 Series Details

New Home Leopards vs. Tom Bean Tomcats

📍 ACU – Abilene, TX

🎟 Game 1: Thursday, 6 PM

🎟 Game 2: Friday, 12 PM

🎟 Game 3 (If needed): Friday, 30 min after Game 2

If the Leopards can continue to get quick starts at the plate, lean on the depth of their pitching staff, and play the clean, mistake-free baseball that’s defined their playoff run, they’ll put themselves in a great position to punch their ticket back to the 2A State Championship game.