Elmore County dispatched Horseshoe Bend in five innings Monday, securing an 11-1 victory behind a six-run fifth inning to lock down the programs’ 13th win of the season.

Elmore County head coach Michael Byrd was happy to get some experience for his pitching staff with area play slated to resume this weekend.

“We had good at-bats and put the ball in play,” Byrd said. “It was a bit sloppy, we had two errors but the biggest thing we got out of it is that we got some pitchers out on the mound.”

Sean Darnell broke the seal on Elmore County’s offense, scoring the game’s first run on a wild pitch after a two-out triple in the first inning.

In the third inning he tacked on another run via a single, a stolen base, an errant throw on a pickoff attempt and a sacrifice fly by Cole Downey.

The Panthers picked up three more runs in the second inning. Outfielder Garrett Allen knocked in two runners on a ground ball turned throwing error, stole second, stole third, and scored on a fielding error.

A pair of Horseshoe Bend runners were gunned down at the plate in the first four innings, the first was a runner trying to score from second on a single and the second out was a runner coming home from third on a ground ball.

Right fielder Nassin Bryan and Darnell made the plays for Elmore County, respectively.

Downey took the ball on the mound for Elmore County and gave up one run in three innings of work. Brandon White came in to relieve Downey in the fourth inning.

Elmore County’s season continues with an area series against Marbury, which starts Thursday.

Byrd said getting practice time with his team this week should be beneficial, as with inclement weather, spring break, prom and the nine games the Panthers have played the past two weeks, the team hasn’t gotten much.

Byrd said his team will be working on “a lot of defensive situations” in practice this week.

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Sports Editor, The Wetumpka Herald | Tallassee Tribune