Matt Vines

STANLEY – The Stanley baseball team is searching for its first-ever trip to Sulphur’s McMurry Park when the No. 4 seed Panthers host No. 5 Quitman on Wednesday at 5 p.m.

Stanley is appearing in the quarterfinals for the first time since 2015 and hasn’t been to the semifinals since three straight trips in 2002-2004.

The Panthers (21-6) are seeking revenge on two fronts – for a 5-4 loss to Quitman on March 30 in the Choudrant Tournament and for Stanley’s softball loss to Quitman in the Division V Non-Select championship game Saturday.

Stanley breezed through second-round opponent Bell City, 12-3, thanks to big offensive days from Loftin, Smith and Moton.

Quitman (16-10) slogged through Doyline in a 4-3 win in the second round. It was the third time Quitman beat Doyline this month as the Wolverines finished second behind Weston in District 1-B.

Quitman dug out of a two-run hole and walked Doyline off in the seventh inning with a Kace West sacrifice fly.

The Panthers are celebrating their best season since the early 2000s, which included a District 3-B title.

Back on March 30, Quitman jumped out to a 4-0 lead, which Stanley answered to tie the game in third inning.

The winning run was scored in the eighth inning on a Duck sacrifice fly. Duck pitched 5 1/3 scoreless relief innings in the win.

Stanley’s Maroney settled in after the four-run second inning to and threw five straight scoreless innings before giving way to Gooden in the eighth inning.

Waldron and Loftin each drove in a pair of runs in the earlier meeting with Quitman.