The Lady Gladiators take the field

Barry Byers Posted February 15, 2009 9:00pm Lady Gladiator Softball

The Italy Lady Gladiators scrimmaged against the Blooming Grove Lady Lions to get the 2009 softball season underway on Thursday.

Trailing 5-0 after the top of the 1st inning, Italy’s Cori Jeffords steps to the plate in the bottom of the 1st to blast a 2-run homer making the score 5-2, Lady Lions in control.

Blooming Grove held a 9-2 advantage going into the bottom of the 4th inning. Italy was in need of a spark, when Drenda Burke singled putting runners on first and second base. Drew Windham matched Burke’s effort with a single of her own loading the bases for the Lady Gladiators.

From there, Italy ran off 7 straight runs in the inning to tie the game 9-9. Italy had 3-hits along with 3-errors by the Lady Lions making the rally possible.

Italy’s defense took over from there and held the Lady Lions scoreless in the top of the 5th inning.

Italy took a 13-9 lead in the bottom of the 5th and then held the Lady Lions scoreless, once again, in the top of the 6th inning to win the scrimmage.

Julia McDaniel said, “We knew we could beat Blooming Grove but we had to work out a few things to make it happen.”

The Lady Gladiators are a young squad with only one Senior on the team. However, if the scrimmage with Blooming Grove is any indication, it’s going to be a fun and exciting season. Italy’s girls really enjoyed playing the game and from all the spirit in the dugout, I don’t think team chemistry is going to be a problem.

Go Lady Gladiators!

Courtney Warms Up — Courtney Westbrook fires up the cannon with assistance from her catcher, Julia McDaniel. (Kelly Lewis)

And The Release — The cannon goes off. (Kelly Lewis)

Pregame Talk — Head Softball Coach Jennifer Reeves gets her young team focused on winning. (Kelly Lewis)

Camera Shy — Lupita Luna gets caught with her hand in the bag. (Barry Byers)

Cori & Courtney — Italy’s 3rd Baseman, Cori Jeffords, and Pitcher, Courtney Westbrook, try to do a little damage control. (Barry Byers)

Expecting the Bunt — Success is when preparation meets opportunity and Cori Jeffords is anticipating a bunt attempt from Blooming Grove. (Barry Byers)

Westbrook Pitches — This is what Blooming Grove had to contend with. (Barry Byers)

Julia Reacts — Catcher Julia McDaniel takes care of her pitcher. (Barry Byers)

Safe At Third — Blooming Grove gets the base but Italy didn’t give it up easy. (Kelly Lewis)

Abby Griffith — Second Baseman, Abby Griifith, covers first base while first baseman, Drew Windam, moves in on the bunt. (Barry Byers)

There She Is — First baseman, Drew Windham, warms up the infield. (Barry Byers)

Waiting For Her Pitch — Freshman Bailey Bumpus is being patient at the plate. (Kelly Lewis)

Here It Comes — The Lions built a 9-2 lead, but later in the bottom of the 4th, the tide turned on “The Pride” and Italy tied the game 9-9 with a 7-run inning. (Barry Byers)

Crush It, Cori! — Cori “The Crusher” Jeffords smacks a 2-run homer in the bottom of the 1st inning. (Kelly Lewis)

Rounding Second — “The Crusher” pulls out an inside the park homerun. (Barry Byers)

Reeves Rallies — Coach Reeves rallies her girls for the comeback. (Barry Byers)

Infield Huddles — Coach Reeves discusses strategy with her infielders. (Kelly Lewis)

Gearing Up — Italy gears up for the win scoring 4-runs in the bottom of the 5th inning to take a 13-9 lead. (Barry Byers)

Abby At Bat — Abby Griffith takes a swat at the Lions. (Barry Byers)

That’s A Hit! — Italy pulls out a base hit late in the game. (Barry Byers)

Coach And Drew — Coach Reeves works out a plan with Drew Windham. (Barry Byers)

Strike! — Blooming Groves’ pitchers threw 10-strike outs in the game. Not bad…but Italy’s Pitcher, #10 Courtney Westbrook, deliverd 11-strike outs to secure a 13-9 win for the Lady Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Finishing Strong — Coach Reeves pumps up her players and the team responded by holding the Lions scoreless in the top of the 6th inning to earn the 13-9 win. (Barry Byers)