Italy and Hubbard were two undefeated teams with one game to decide who stays undefeated. It was brutal and scary…but we’ll discuss Dana Hamby’s and Rita Garza’s concession stand abilities at a later time.

I’m kidding, my hot dog was great! Unfortunately, for the Italy Lady Gladiators, it was Hubbard who was cooking early as they were marinating a 1-0 lead after the Lady Jags managed two doubles in the top of the 1st inning.

Megan Richards and Cori Jeffords both singled in the bottom of the 1st, but Hubbard got the 3rd out before Italy could convert the hits into scores.

Italy’s reliable pitcher Courtney Westbrook was feeling the heat at the top of the 2nd inning as Hubbard’s #10 Cassie Skilling lowered the boom on a deep shot that dropped just inside the centerfield fence earning her a double.

The pinch runner for Skilling eventually scores making the deficit 3-0 for the Lady Gladiators.

In the top of the 3rd, Westbrook confidently sat down the 1st Hubbard batter. Unfortunately, Hubbard’s 2nd batter ripped a shot past the outstretched gloves of Italy’s infield. The next Jag batter popped another double over the outfield’s reach putting Hubbard base runners on 2nd and 3rd.

Hubbard hits to short for the RBI but gets their 2nd out in the inning after shortstop Meredith Brummett gunned down the Jaguar at 1st base. The score was now 3-0 in Hubbard’s favor.

After Hubbard took a 4-0 lead at the top of the 4th, Megan Richards went to the pitchers mound to give Westbrook a breather in the top of the 5th. Megan was as accurate with her pitches as Westbrook had been but it didn’t matter, Hubbard couldn’t miss a lick.

The Lady Jags added 3 more runs in the in the top of the 5th and built a 7-0 advantage over the Lady Gladiators.

Needless to say, it was rally time for Italy but they just couldn’t generate any offense. They battled at the plate keeping their chances alive and collected several foul tips but never could get anything past the Hubbard infielders.

Italy line drived out, grounded out and bunted out in the bottom of the 5th as Hubbards’ Skilling could taste a shutout.

Italy did hold Hubbard scoreless in the top of the 6th. Then Drew Windham doubled to start the bottom of the 6th trying to ignite the Italy comeback and turn the fire up on the Lady Jags.

Hubbard’s Skilling didn’t get over heated and struck out the next Italy batter as the Lady Jags avoid any damage and held on to a 7-0 lead heading into the 7th inning.

Another Skilling double helped lead the Lady Jags as they added two more points to their total in the top of the 7th. Italy remained stagnant at the plate during their last bat and Hubbard stays undefeated beating Italy on their home field 9-0.

Friday’s game was no picnic, but Italy’s team is still near the top of the district standings and will be ready to go Tuesday, April 7 at home starting at 5:30 p.m. against Dawson, another district opponent.