On Tuesday night, the Gladiators traveled to Frost for the last showdown between the two teams in district play. Taking care of business was the order of the day for both the Gladiators and the Bears.

Freshman, Justin Buchanan, started the battle with fierce pitching, wanting to straighten out the win column with Frost. In the first confrontation earlier in the season, Frost won by 2 points. “I feel like we all played good. Sam (Stroder) is a pretty good pitcher but I feel like we could have hit off him better. But they (Frost) played good too,” Buchanan explained. When the dust settled at the end of the game, the score board showed another scenario-Frost 6, Italy 3. Scoring for Italy was Jasenio Anderson, Ryan Ashcraft and Ethan Simon.

Officially, the Gladiators are second in district with Frost leading in first. Both teams will go to play-offs but first Italy has to battle Avalon one more time. Justin said about the Eagles, " We will dominate them."

Head Coach Matt Coker talked about his team:

“Tonight was a tough one to lose. I felt really good going into this one. We did a little bit better job at the plate against Sam Stroder this time. We had three or four balls hit very well in the game, but just right at Frost defenders. A couple of mental mistakes on defense helped Frost score some of their runs.

We will get better though and learn from those mistakes. I am very proud of our kids and how they competed until the last out. I am proud of our entire team for the season we have had to this point.

I told the kids after the game I know you are disappointed right now, but I want you to go back in your mind and think about where we were last year at this point. You have nothing to be ashamed of and let’s take our frustrations out on Avalon.

Justin Buchanan (2-2) pitched really well. I know he was disappointed with the loss, but I put my arm around him and told him that you have a bright future ahead of you and I am a really proud of you. I also told him to put this one behind him, because you got much bigger ball games ahead of you in the playoffs.

Jasenio Anderson did a great job of coming in and finishing the game for us on the mound. He was also 2-3 at the plate for us. Dan Crownover and Ryan Ashcraft also did a nice job for us at the plate."

The next game is Friday night in Avalon at 6:30. Come out and support our Italy Gladiators. Slated to pitch is Jase Holden.