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2025 Elmore County Panthers Team Preview

February 10, 2025
Austin Sharp
Alabama Scouting Director

The 2025 high school baseball season is quickly approaching and as usual, excitement abounds throughout the state. Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season and, as is the case each year, there are some very talented players and teams across Alabama.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in the Jacksonville/Oxford/Montgomery area at the AISA or AHSAA state championships, but there is plenty of work to be done before that becomes reality. We hope to familiarize our readers with many of the teams across the state as we preview individual teams across Alabama. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews and by continuing our scheduled podcasts and releasing our preseason top-10 rankings in each AHSAA classification.

Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across the state.

Each week we will be releasing our Players of the Week, updating the top-10 ranks in each AHSAA classification, as well updating our Power 25 overall rankings. One thing, especially, you don’t want to miss are our scheduled podcasts with guests from across the state, as well as the recaps and previews of the big games we’re covering.

*Please note the information has been gathered from head coaches across the state, based on their replies to the questionnaire we distributed over this offseason.

High School: Elmore County Panthers
Head Coach: Michael Dismukes
Classification: AHSAA Class 5A
Area Number: Class 5A, Area 6
2024 Record (Finish): 19-11 (Eliminated in 1st Round)
No. of Returning Positional Starters: 7
No. of Returning Pitchers: 6
Team Strengths: Experience 

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS

MORE UPPERCLASS FOLLOWS

Class of 2025

  • INF/RHP Hayden Jones (2025)
  • C/OF Carson Saucier (Alabama State, 2025)
  • OF Dallin Simpson (2025)

Class of 2026

TOP UNDERCLASSMEN

  • INF Kason Moe (2027)

TEAM OUTLOOK

With a solid core of upperclassmen who were instrumental in last year’s success, the Elmore County Panthers enter the 2025 season aiming to build on their strong start from 2024. Under the leadership of new head coach Michael Dismukes, the Panthers are preparing for a promising spring in Class 5A.

After an impressive 18-3 start to the season and a top-10 ranking for much of the second half, the Panthers wrapped up the regular season as area runner-up before hitting the road to face Holtville in the first round of the playoffs. However, their postseason run was cut short, as they were eliminated in the opening round, finishing with a 19-11 record. Heading into 2025, expectations remain high, with Elmore County boasting the talent to be a top contender in Class 5A. With seven returning positional starters and six pitchers, the Panthers will look to peak at the right time and solidify themselves as a serious threat. Leading the charge offensively is INF Shea Darnell (Coastal Alabama-South CC, 2025), who put together a stellar junior season, hitting .522 with 14 extra-base hits and 23 stolen bases. 3B/RHP Jaden Eason (Gadsden State CC, 2025) returns as a key two-way player after posting a 5-1 record on the mound with four complete games, a 1.33 ERA, and 57 strikeouts in 42 innings. At the plate, he contributed a .375 average with nine doubles, 27 RBIs, and 32 walks. Another key piece is 3B/RHP Austin Davis (Gadsden State CC, 2025), who returns to the middle of the order after hitting .318 with 19 extra-base hits, four home runs, and a team-high 28 RBIs in 2024. Beyond those core returners, INF/RHP Hayden Jones (2025), C/OF Carson Saucier (Alabama State, 2025), and OF Dallin Simpson (2025) are all expected to make significant contributions. Jones went 3-1 on the mound last season and provides a steady glove in the field, while Saucier hit .348 in limited action and Simpson is primed for a breakout year. The junior class also features key contributors, including LHP/OF Shelton Darnell (2026) and INF Gage Davis (2026), both of whom hit over .330 last season, as well as LHP Evan Spence (2026), who adds valuable depth to the pitching staff. Additionally, INF Kason Moe (2027) will look to earn playing time and compete for a spot early in the season.  

With a deep and experienced roster, Elmore County is well-positioned for a strong spring as they aim to build on last year's success and make a deeper postseason run. They'll compete in Class 5A, Area 6 against Beauregard and Valley for a spot in the playoffs at the end of the regular season. With a strong mix of veteran leadership and emerging talent, the Panthers have all the pieces in place to make a serious push in Class 5A and compete at a high level throughout the 2025 season.

Find more information on the 2025 Elmore County program below:

+ Follow them on X: @ECHS_Baseball5A
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Alabama, 2025 HS Team Previews

FOLLOW PREP BASEBALL ALABAMA THROUGHOUT THE SPRING

+ Prep Baseball Alabama on X
+ Prep Baseball Alabama on Instagram
+ Prep Baseball Alabama on Facebook

 

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