Regional Rivals Ready: New Home and New Deal Set for Showdown in 2A-D1 Final
- Steven Liles
- May 19
- 2 min read
The Region I-2A D1 Final is set to be a thrilling showdown between two powerhouse programs: the New Home Leopards and the New Deal Lions. Both teams have showcased exceptional talent and resilience throughout the playoffs, setting the stage for an epic best-of-three series.
🐆 New Home Leopards: Dominant and Disciplined
![New Home Leopards [Sideline Sports]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6d2d12_f018992613a44ed986fbfbc3166e973b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_653,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/6d2d12_f018992613a44ed986fbfbc3166e973b~mv2.jpg)
New Home enters the regional final with a commanding presence, having swept through the playoffs with decisive victories:
Bi-District vs. Olton: 16-1, 27-0
Area vs. Wellington: 18-0, 9-0
Regional Semifinal vs. Hawley: 12-0, 7-3
Leading the way is Ryder Starkey, who’s been a force at the plate with multiple home runs, including a three-homer game against Olton. Hunter Burrell has been a consistent producer, driving in big runs and handling the defense behind the plate with poise. Cooper Brown and Bransen Beckham have delivered timely extra-base hits, while Avin Madrid has added power with a crucial home run and steady defense.
![Graham Stanford on the mound [Parker Liles - Sideline Sports]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6d2d12_a94b8180d0a84a8aa4d23deef4e3fb2d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_653,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/6d2d12_a94b8180d0a84a8aa4d23deef4e3fb2d~mv2.jpg)
On the mound, Graham Stanford and Tucker Cotton have combined for dominant outings, allowing only 4 runs in 6 playoff games and keeping opponents off balance. The Leopards’ defense has been flawless through three rounds — not committing a single error.
🦁 New Deal Lions: Resilient and Battle-Tested
![New Deal Lions [Jayden Davila]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6d2d12_b9b9c59d955d4b44a0d6ad8322e71482~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_653,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/6d2d12_b9b9c59d955d4b44a0d6ad8322e71482~mv2.jpg)
The Lions showed their grit in a comeback series win over Anson, and bring a balanced attack into the finals:
Bi-District vs. Sundown: 12-2, 19-4
Area vs. Sunray: 12-0, 14-2
Regional Semifinal vs. Anson: 4-10, 14-12, 6-5
Dallas Sumner has emerged as a clutch performer, highlighted by a grand slam and key RBIs across the playoffs. Ray Alonzo has been a spark plug at the top of the order, combining speed and timely hitting. Dylan Saldana is a consistent bat in the middle of the lineup, delivering in pressure situations with multi-hit games and big innings.
On the mound, Lane Proctor and Tristan Bigham have shouldered the starting load, with Jackson Attebury playing a crucial role in relief. David Aguirre and Colt Ramsey have also provided offensive punch, while Easton Calzada has chipped in with big hits and defensive hustle.
📍 Series Details
Game 1: Friday, May 23 at 4:00 PM at Frenship High School
Game 2: Friday, May 23 at 6:30 PM at Frenship High School
Game 3 (if necessary): Saturday, May 24 at 1:00 PM at Lubbock Cooper High School
🔥 What to Watch For
Offensive Firepower: Both teams have explosive offenses; expect high-scoring innings and clutch hits.
Pitching Duels: The performance of starting pitchers and bullpen depth will be critical.
Defensive Plays: Error-free defense could be the difference-maker in close games.
This regional final promises to be a showcase of talent, determination, and community pride for 2 schools that know each other well. Fans from both New Home and New Deal can anticipate a series filled with great baseball and memorable moments!
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