North Stanly, the second seeded team in the 1A Western Regional of the state baseball playoffs, opened the state tournament in strong fashion with a 10-0 six-inning win over No. 18 North Stokes 10-0.

Rhett Lowder struck out eight batters in 5.2 innings of work on the mound for the Comets (22-2) scattering five hits. Carson Lowder came on in the sixth inning to strike out the final batter of the game.

The Comets took advantage of six errors in the game and 12 walks from two different North Stokes (13-12) pitchers. Colby Russell and Carson Lowder had the only hits of the game for North Stanly, with Russell, Dylan Eudy and Garrett Clark posting RBIs.

North Stanly will face fellow Yadkin Valley Conference opponent, the Uwharrie Charter Eagles (20-5), in the third round of the state playoffs Tuesday. The No. 10 seeded Eagles won at No. 7 Chatham Central in the second round, 6-0.