Matt Vines

STANLEY – The Stanley baseball team jumped on Bell City pitching early and often Wednesday as the Panthers rolled to a 12-3 win the second round of the Division V Non-Select playoffs.
The No. 4 seed Stanley (21-6) scored runs in each of the first five innings to dispose of the No. 13 seed visitors and advance to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2015.
Stanley collected nine hits and eight walks as they kept pressure on Bell City all night.
Two walks started off Stanley’s first inning, which was highlighted by a bunt single RBI from Clayton Smith to put Stanley on the board.
Stanley blew the game open with a five-run second inning.
Nolan Loftin doubled in two runs before Peyton Rogers and Smith RBIs and a score on a passed ball handed Stanley a 6-0 lead.
Smith (2-for-3, three RBIs) was the only Panther with multiple hits, but Loftin and Jackson Moton each added two RBIs. Loftin also scored a team-high three runs.
That was plenty of support for starting pitcher Jace Gooden, who pitched four scoreless innings before Bell City struck for three runs in the fifth inning.
But Stanley still led 10-3 after that.
Gooden scattered six hits and three walks in 4 2/3 innings with Gavin Waldron and Logan Maroney combining for 2 1/3 scoreless relief innings.
Stanley will play the winner of No. 5 Quitman and No. 12 Doyline, who squared off late Thursday.