With the first round of the AHSAA State Baseball Playoffs in the books, the action only ramps up from here. The Sweet 16 is set across Classes 7A through 1A, and we’ve picked out ten of the most intriguing second-round matchups across the state. From powerhouse showdowns to potential upsets, these series are loaded with storylines, talent, and intrigue. In this breakdown, we’ll dive into each matchup’s classification ranking, 2025 overall record, series times and locations, our predictions, and more as we preview what’s shaping up to be an electric weekend of playoff baseball.

For a full breakdown of every Sweet 16 series across all seven classifications, be sure to check out the latest episode of our Around the State Podcast, where we take a much deeper dive into team dynamics, key players to watch, and postseason implications.

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No. 1:

6A #1 Hartselle @ 6A #5 Homewood  

Fri., Apr. 25, 5 and 7:30 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

+ Hartselle Tigers

+ Homewood Patriots

 

One of the most anticipated matchups in the Class 6A Sweet 16 features the No. 1-ranked Hartselle Tigers (27-7) going on the road to face the No. 5-ranked Homewood Patriots (29-7). This is a rematch of last season’s opening-round playoff clash, where Hartselle swept Homewood with 6-2 and 3-0 victories. The Tigers are no strangers to deep postseason runs, finishing as the 6A state runner-up in 2024 and claiming the state title in 2022, but both teams enter this series with plenty of momentum. Hartselle is stacked with collegiate-level talent, including standout hitters Ty Marsh (Western Kentucky), Easton Nelms (Samford), Cole Miles (Jacksonville State), Cruise Baker, and Asher Doepel. On the mound, the Tigers are powered by the arms of Jace Meadows (Alabama-Huntsville) and Connor Stiles, forming a tough one-two punch that’s handled big-game moments all season long. Their combination of offensive firepower and pitching depth makes them a true championship contender. Homewood, meanwhile, has taken big strides since last year’s postseason exit. The Patriots are led by the steady presence of Jack Ross (Southern Union CC) and Auburn commit Levi Nickoli, who gives Homewood a pair of high-level two-way playeres who can compete with anyone in the state. Offensively, Jack Bland and Cooper Mullins are part of a deep lineup that’s capable of putting up runs in bunches. With this year’s series set to take place on their home turf, the Patriots are looking to flip the script and prove they can hang with 6A’s best.

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No. 2:

7A #8 Thompson @ 7A #2 Bob Jones

Fri., Apr. 25, 5 and 7:30 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

+ Thompson Warriors

+ Bob Jones Patriots

 

Coming in as our second-ranked Sweet 16 series, 7A No. 8 Thompson hits the road to take on 7A No. 2 Bob Jones in what has become one of the premier rivalries in Alabama high school baseball. These two programs are meeting in the postseason for the third straight year, and each of the last three series have been tightly contested battles decided by slim margins. With star power on both rosters and recent history fueling the intensity, this year’s showdown is shaping up to be another thriller. Bob Jones boasts one of the deepest and most balanced lineups in the state, led by Alabama signee Zackary Johnson, who continues to be one of the most feared hitters in 7A. Surrounding him is a strong supporting cast in Dillon Adkins, Camden Martin, Myles Hammonds, and Cole Spanier, while Shelton State CC commit Tanner Hermesch provides a big presence on the mound. The Patriots enter the series with a 32-9 record and are the defending Class 7A State Champions, looking to punch their ticket to the Elite Eight and defend their title. Thompson counters with a powerful one-two punch in Alabama commits Ma'Kale Holden and Wyatt Williams, two elite arms who consistently sit in the low 90s and double as impact bats in the heart of the Warriors’ lineup. Thompson also leans on the offensive production of Austin Barnett, Cooper Mills (Bevill State CC), and Anderson Harris (Auburn-Montgomery), giving them a lineup that can do damage from top to bottom. The Warriors are battle-tested and more than capable of knocking off one of the top teams in the state, especially if they can get key contibutions from their two talented starting pitchers in the series.

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No. 3:

6A #6 Buckhorn @ 6A #2 Mountain Brook

Fri., Apr. 25, 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

+ Buckhorn Bucks

+ Mountain Brook Spartans

 

One of the most intriguing second-round matchups in Class 6A features a red-hot No. 6 Buckhorn (25-12) squad hitting the road to face No. 2 Mountain Brook (26-8), fresh off a dominant sweep of No. 10 Oxford. Buckhorn has been playing as well as anyone in the state, with a lineup loaded with talent and momentum. The Bucks are led by a pair of elite two-way standouts in Andrew Oelke (Calhoun CC) and Joshua Henson (Southeastern Louisiana), who anchor both the lineup and the pitching staff. Supporting them are key contributors like Braden Abernathy (Snead State CC), Isaac Sayle, Owen Todd, and Tye Burress—giving Buckhorn depth at the plate and on the mound. Mountain Brook counters with one of the state’s most complete teams, headlined by the dynamic brother duo of Caleb Barnett (Alabama) and Paul Barnett, who are dangerous both offensively and on the mound. The Spartans also feature standouts Will Weaver (Oglethorpe), Hunter Davis, Sam Estes, Boyd Cooper, and Becker Mayor, giving them a deep, experienced roster. On the mound, Bryant Diddell has been a consistent Game 2 option. With star power on both sides and two of the hottest teams in 6A, this series has the makings of a classic.

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No. 4:

 1A #2 Appalachian @ 1A #1 Hackleburg  

Fri., Apr. 25, 5 and 7 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

+ Appalachian Eagles

+ Hackleburg Panthers

 

The highly anticipated 1A showdown between No. 2 Appalachian (23-3) and No. 1 Hackleburg (25-5) promises to be a thrilling second-round series. Both teams breezed through the first round with ease and have consistently held spots in the top-3 of Class 1A all season. Appalachian enters this matchup with multiple deep playoffs over the past few seasons, including a Class 1A State Title back in 2023. The Eagles are led by standout players like Logan Harvey, Will Armstrong, Levi Parrish, Conner Cassidy, and Caleb Conn, who provide both offensive firepower and defensive stability. On the other side, Hackleburg has been knocking on the door of a state title for years and is determined to break through this season. The Lions are spearheaded by dynamic playmakers such as Blaise Vickery, Edge Weeks, Maddox Vickery, and Ross Hudson, who have been key to their success throughout the season. With both teams boasting deep, experienced rosters and high expectations, this series is set to showcase some of the best talent in 1A baseball.

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No. 5:

 5A #1 Springville @ 5A #6 Lawrence County  

Fri., Apr. 25, 5 and 7 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 2 p.m., if needed)

+ Springville Tigers

+ Lawrence County Red Devils

 

The fifth-ranked series in the second round features a heavyweight 5A clash as No. 1 Springville (28-5) hits the road to face No. 6 Lawrence County (24-9). Springville has spent the entire season near the top of the rankings and proved battle-tested with a hard-fought three-game win over a strong Northside team in the opening round. The Tigers are anchored by ace Carter Samuelson (Alabama-Birmingham), one of the top arms in the state, and backed by a potent lineup featuring Sean Nichols (Marion Military CC), Grant Martinez, Kade Willis, and Ryan King. Lawrence County enters the series riding a wave of momentum, having swept perennial power Russellville to clinch their area and continue their recent strong play. The Red Devils are dangerous at the plate with Parker Frost, Tripp Engle, Caden Norwood, Wyatt Knight, and Ryder McGregory leading the charge. On the mound, Elijah Tuckier, Jake Weathersby, and Jackson Smith have carried the bulk of the innings and will be key if Lawrence County hopes to knock off the top-ranked Tigers in what’s shaping up to be a tightly contested showdown.

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No. 6:

 4A #4 Opp @ 4A #3 Bibb County  

Fri., Apr. 25, 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, noon, if needed)

+ Opp Bobcats

+ Bibb County Choctaws

 

The sixth-ranked series is a marquee matchup in Class 4A between two top-five programs as No. 4 Opp (23-5) travels to face No. 3 Bibb County (23-9). Opp has quietly climbed the rankings throughout the spring and showed resilience in the first round, bouncing back from a Game 2 loss to dominate Bayside Academy 14-4 in the series finale. The Bobcats were led by Porter Nelson’s strong two-way performance, including a complete game win in Game 1 and a 3-RBI effort in Game 3. Cash Harrell also delivered at the plate with a six-RBI outing in the clincher, while Will Jackson went 4-for-4 to help seal the deal. Bibb County, meanwhile, looked every bit the contender in a statement sweep over Pleasant Grove, outscoring them 34-0 across two games. Macain McMillan threw a five-inning no-hitter with 10 strikeouts and added a pair of doubles and an RBI at the plate. Bodie Giddiens was red-hot, going 7-for-7 in the series with four extra-base hits and six RBIs. The Choctaws also got key contributions from Xavier Rhine, Ethan McMillan, and Rylan Lopez in a series where their pitching and offense both looked dominant. With both teams playing high-level baseball, this top-tier second-round showdown promises fireworks.

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No. 7:

 5A #8 Marbury @ 5A #5 Faith Academy  

Fri., Apr. 25, 4 and 6:30 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

+ Marbury Bulldogs

+ Faith Academy Rams

 

The seventh-ranked series features a compelling contrast in experience and youth as 5A No. 8 Marbury (26-6) travels to face 5A No. 5 Faith Academy (22-5). Marbury boasts a battle-tested group of upperclassmen who have played key roles for multiple seasons and are aiming to make a deep playoff push in their final run. The Bulldogs handled business in the first round with a sweep, getting quality starts from Seth Turner and Benton Howell, the latter also going 4-for-5 at the plate in Game 2. Jacob Driver played a pivotal role on both sides, contributing offensively while also slamming the door with a three-strikeout save. Meanwhile, Faith Academy leaned on a talented group of underclassmen to survive a tight first-round series. Eli Quinley was the hero in both games, driving in five runs across the series, including a walk-off double in Game 2. Catcher Seth Barnette also had a standout series, going 5-for-8 with three RBIs, including the go-ahead single in Game 1. With offensive depth that includes Carlos Ortiz, Brody Lambert, and Riley Wilemon, and reliable arms like Grayson Finch and Christian Freeman, the Rams are a balanced squad despite their youth. Expect a tightly contested series between two teams with postseason aspirations and the depth to make it happen.

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No. 8:

5A #3 American Christian @ 5A #9 Russellville 

Fri., Apr. 25, 5 and 7 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

+ American Christian Patriots

+ Russellville Golden Tigers

 

The eighth-ranked matchup sets the stage for a clash between two of the state’s most tradition-rich programs as 5A No. 3 American Christian (27-12) hits the road to take on 5A No. 9 Russellville (24-10). Both schools have five state championships in their history—Russellville’s all coming within the past decade—and American Christian reached the 4A State Finals just last season before moving up in classification. Known for having one of the most potent lineups in the state, American Christian showcased its firepower in a dominant first-round sweep. Jaylen Crocker and BJ Garth were strong on the mound, while Eric Hines (Alabama), Hunter Elmore, Evan Lightsey (Northwest Mississippi CC), and Cade Durrett (Bevill State CC) fueled a high-powered offense that piled up runs across both games. On the other side, Russellville's pitching was elite, with Brayden Entrekin and Ty Engelthaler allowing just two hits combined over 13.1 innings while striking out 14. Brayden Hatton and Tristan Ray led the way offensively, and Brennon Thorpe provided steady production from the outfield in both games. With both teams carrying championship pedigrees and rolling after commanding first-round wins, this matchup has all the makings of an exciting series.

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No. 9:

 3A #4 Thomasville @ 3A #2 Glenwood  

Fri., Apr. 25, 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Game 3, Sat., Apr. 26, 1 p.m., if needed)

+ Thomasville Tigers

+ Glenwood Gators

 

The ninth-ranked showdown is a true heavyweight bout as defending state champion 3A No. 4 Thomasville (20-7) travels to take on 3A No. 2 Glenwood (25-4), a perennial powerhouse making waves in its first season in the AHSAA after years of dominance in the AISA. Both programs enter the second round with championship expectations and serious momentum. Thomasville handled business against Cottage Hill Christian behind dominant complete-game efforts from Diego Bryant and Issac Parten, who also contributed at the plate along with key bats like Dallas Bryant, Anthony Dotson, BJ Cheesboro, and Ty Averitt. On the other side, Glenwood looked untouchable in a two-game sweep of Hale County, winning 16-0 and 25-0 with a blend of overpowering pitching and explosive offense. Tyler Sykes (Columbus State) and Hudson Campbell were lights out on the mound, while Mac Blair, Mason McCraine (Auburn), Kaleb Andrews, and Levi Pinder sparked an offense that put up video-game numbers. With proven postseason experience on one side and a surging newcomer on the other, this series is one of the most intriguing matchups in any classification.

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No. 10:

 2A #5 Decatur Heritage @ 2A #6 Red Bay  

Thur., Apr. 24, 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. (Game 3, Fri., Apr. 25, 5 p.m., if needed)

+ Decatur Heritage Christian Eagles

+ Red Bay Tigers

 

The tenth-ranked series in features a marquee matchup as 2A No. 5 Decatur Heritage Christian (25-5) hits the road to face 2A No. 6 Red Bay (22-6) in what promises to be a tightly contested battle between two teams with high-end talent and depth across the board. Both clubs made statements in the opening round with dominant sweeps, flashing double-digit run totals and shutdown pitching performances. For Decatur Heritage, Olsen Howard (Rhodes College) had a monster series—going 3-for-4 with 3 home runs and 9 RBIs in Game 1, then throwing 4 shutout innings with 6 strikeouts in Game 2. Paxton Tarver (Southern Union CC) struck out 10 and allowed just 2 earned runs over 5 innings on the mound while also contributing 4 RBIs in Game 1 and adding a double and 2 RBIs in Game 2. Brady Wilson (Auburn) chipped in with a 2-for-2, 3-RBI performance, while Ford Sparkman knocked a double and drove in three, and Dylan Germany added a triple and 2 RBIs. Red Bay was equally impressive, starting with Ty Reynolds who went 4-for-4 with two doubles, a home run, and 5 RBIs in Game 1, while also tossing 5 innings with 6 strikeouts and no earned runs. Jeramiah Thorne had a 3-for-4 outing with 3 RBIs, Carson McGee launched a home run and drove in 4 in Game 1, then followed it with a masterful 6-inning, 1-hit shutout with 11 strikeouts in Game 2. Reed Hamilton went 2-for-4 with a homer and 2 RBIs, Harley Strickland was 3-for-4 with 2 RBIs, Landyn Lewey went 3-for-4 with a double and 2 RBIs, and Dallas Terrell collected five hits across the series. With both teams firing on all cylinders, this one shapes up to be one of the most exciting second-round matchups in any classification.

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Honorable Mention ⤵️

+ 7A No. 6 Hoover @ 7A No. 10 Grissom

+ 7A James Clemens @ 7A No. 7 Tuscaloosa County

+ 6A No. 3 Chelsea @ 6A Saraland

+ 5A Briarwood Christian @ 5A No. 4 St. Paul's Episcopal

+ 4A No. 8 Madison County @ 4A No. 5 Haleyville

+ 4A No. 10 Alexandria @ 4A No. 6 Deshler

+ 3A No. 7 Collinsville @ 3A No. 8 Gordo

+ 1A No. 7 Fayetteville @ 1A No. 4 Leroy

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2025 SUMMER SCHEDULE ⤵️

We’re excited to announce that our 2025 summer event schedule is now live! This year, we’re traveling to all parts of Alabama, giving players across the state the opportunity to compete and showcase their skills. Don’t miss your chance to get signed up — CLICK HERE for more details or to register! 

 

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