The Lady Gladiators take the field

Image: The Lady Gladiators Take The Field — The Lady Gladiators Softball Team came out swinging against the Blooming Grove Lady Lions Thursday to begin the 2009 season. “The Darlings of the Diamond” came from behind in the scrimmage to win 13-9.

The Lady Gladiators Take The Field — The Lady Gladiators Softball Team came out swinging against the Blooming Grove Lady Lions Thursday to begin the 2009 season. “The Darlings of the Diamond” came from behind in the scrimmage to win 13-9. (Barry Byers)

Image: Courtney Warms Up — Courtney Westbrook fires up the cannon with assistance from her catcher, Julia McDaniel.

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

Image: And The Release — The cannon goes off.

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

Image: Pregame Talk — Head Softball Coach Jennifer Reeves gets her young team focused on winning.

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

Image: Camera Shy — Lupita Luna gets caught with her hand in the bag.

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

Image: Cori & Courtney — Italy’s 3rd Baseman, Cori Jeffords, and Pitcher, Courtney Westbrook, try to do a little damage control.

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

Image: Expecting the Bunt — Success is when preparation meets opportunity and Cori Jeffords is anticipating a bunt attempt from Blooming Grove.

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

Image: Westbrook Pitches — This is what Blooming Grove had to contend with.

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

Image: Julia Reacts — Catcher Julia McDaniel takes care of her pitcher.

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

Image: Safe At Third — Blooming Grove gets the base but Italy didn’t give it up easy.

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

Image: Abby Griffith — Second Baseman, Abby Griifith, covers first base while first baseman, Drew Windam, moves in on the bunt.

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

Image: There She Is — First baseman, Drew Windham, warms up the infield.

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

Image: Waiting For Her Pitch — Freshman Bailey Bumpus is being patient at the plate.

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

Image: 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.

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)

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

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

Image: Rounding Second — “The Crusher” pulls out an inside the park homerun.

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

Image: Reeves Rallies — Coach Reeves rallies her girls for the comeback.

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

Image: Infield Huddles — Coach Reeves discusses strategy with her infielders.

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

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

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)

Image: Abby At Bat — Abby Griffith takes a swat at the Lions.

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

Image: That’s A Hit! — Italy pulls out a base hit late in the game.

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

Image: Coach And Drew — Coach Reeves works out a plan with Drew Windham.

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

Image: 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.

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)

Image: 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.

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)

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