By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

BAY ST. LOUIS — St. Stanislaus struggled a bit to end the regular season, losing two straight games including one to West Marion that left the Rock-A-Chaws as the second seed in Region 8-3A.

But, if Thursday’s Class 3A South State playoff opener against visiting McLaurin was any indication, SSC has quickly swept aside those brief struggles.

The home-standing Rocks rolled the Tigers out of the postseason in quick fashion, with a pair of run-rule shutouts.

St. Stanislaus jumped off with a 12-0 win in the opener and then finished it off with a 16-0 thumping in game two meaning the Rocks advanced to the second round before anyone else in the state even took the field in the playoffs.

Both games ended after McLaurin batted just three times.

In game one, Tate Murphy’s grand slam was the big blow in a 12 run first frame for SSC to seal the deal quickly. Ayden Dartez had two singles and two RBIs in two at bats in he opening inning as well. Stephen Hutchinson and Wiley Mossy each had a double apiece fo SSC.

Jackson Orozco got the pitching win, allowing no hits.

In game two, the Rocks again scored a dozen runs in the first frame. Dartez again had two hits, including a double, and he drove in three RBIs while Parker Stewart drove in three runs as well. Orozco, Cole Shirley and Warren Gunter each had two RBIs apiece for the Rocks as well. Murphy had a triple, while Orozco, Gunter and Liam McClendon each had a double also.

Stewart picked up the one-hit pitching win.