By ETHAN STONE
Powell pitcher Charlie Smith stared trouble in the eyes, shrugged it off and went to work.
Three straight Bearden singles to start the second inning loaded the bases against Smith in Monday’s Region 2-4A semifinal at Powell.
Bearden entered the contest as one of the hottest-hitting teams in the postseason.
Smith gathered himself and responded, though — striking out the next two batters before forcing a fly-out to deep right to end the frame.
It was a sign of what was to come in the Panthers’ 1-0 shutout victory over the Bulldogs (25-17, 4-10).
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