There is no loss more painful than the last one — the one which forces you to say goodbye to the season and welcome a new chapter. Even when the loss is painful and the end is inevitable, heart matters. 

Elmore County baseball made its way into the quarterfinals of the AHSAA Class 5A playoffs, where it faced Briarwood Christian. Briarwood was ranked No. 4 in the Alabama Sports Writers Association final poll of the regular season. 

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Ana Sofia Meyer / TPI Elmore County pitcher Shelton Darnell pitched through four innings in Game 1 of the Panthers' third round battle with Briarwood Christian. Darnell totaled six strikeouts and five walks, allowing three earned runs and five hits.