Italy Gladiators Finish Their Season

Image: Showing respect — The Italy Gladiators stand in formation during the National Anthem before taking on Windthorst for the Area title. Windthorst who was ranked 2nd in Class A, ultimately won the contest 9-3.

Showing respect — The Italy Gladiators stand in formation during the National Anthem before taking on Windthorst for the Area title. Windthorst who was ranked 2nd in Class A, ultimately won the contest 9-3.

Image: Preparing for battle — Team Italy digs in inside the dugout as they get prepared for the big game.

Preparing for battle — Team Italy digs in inside the dugout as they get prepared for the big game.

Image: Jasenio leads — In his 1st year with the IHS Baseball Team, #10 Jasenio Anderson helped lead the Gladiators all the way to Area. And true to form, Jasenio gets a lead at 1st base.

Jasenio leads — In his 1st year with the IHS Baseball Team, #10 Jasenio Anderson helped lead the Gladiators all the way to Area. And true to form, Jasenio gets a lead at 1st base.

Image: Bobby Itson — I promised Bobby Itson we would post a pic of him not doing anything silly…like when he danced to the “Cotton-eye-joe” at a Lady Gladiators Softball game earlier in the season. This one is for you, Coach Itson.

Bobby Itson — I promised Bobby Itson we would post a pic of him not doing anything silly…like when he danced to the “Cotton-eye-joe” at a Lady Gladiators Softball game earlier in the season. This one is for you, Coach Itson.

Image: Italy’s fans were hyped — In full support, Gladiator fans were at the game cheering the team on.

Italy’s fans were hyped — In full support, Gladiator fans were at the game cheering the team on.

Image: “Buc” is money — Pitcher, Justin Buchanan, pitched a strong game against Windthorst. Unfortunately, 9 fielding errors cost the Gladiators the Area Championship.

“Buc” is money — Pitcher, Justin Buchanan, pitched a strong game against Windthorst. Unfortunately, 9 fielding errors cost the Gladiators the Area Championship.

Image: Simon trots in — After a big play, Ethan Simon heads to the dugout.

Simon trots in — After a big play, Ethan Simon heads to the dugout.

Image: Getting fired-up — Coach Matt Coker tries to inspire his Gladiators.

Getting fired-up — Coach Matt Coker tries to inspire his Gladiators.

Image: Dan Crownover — That’s the spot. Dan tries to work out the kinks before taking his swings.

Dan Crownover — That’s the spot. Dan tries to work out the kinks before taking his swings.

Image: Josh is focused — Joshua Milligan was focused on beating Windthorst.

Josh is focused — Joshua Milligan was focused on beating Windthorst.

Image: Josh connects — Joshua Milligan gets a hit in the Area Championship game against Windthorst.

Josh connects — Joshua Milligan gets a hit in the Area Championship game against Windthorst.

Image: Desmond swings — #15 Desmond Anderson works the Windthorst pitcher and eventually gets walked.

Desmond swings — #15 Desmond Anderson works the Windthorst pitcher and eventually gets walked.

Image: Beats the throw — Desmond beats the throw and gets back to the bag in time. However, Windthorst eventually beat Italy 9-3 to claim the Area Championship.

Beats the throw — Desmond beats the throw and gets back to the bag in time. However, Windthorst eventually beat Italy 9-3 to claim the Area Championship.

Image: Jase stretches his lead — Jase Holden attempts to steal 2nd base.

Jase stretches his lead — Jase Holden attempts to steal 2nd base.

Image: Our best shot — Ethan Simon and his fellow Gladiators gave it their best shot but the season came to an end in Mineral Wells.

Our best shot — Ethan Simon and his fellow Gladiators gave it their best shot but the season came to an end in Mineral Wells.

Image: Anxious moments — The Italy dugout realizes they’ve got their hands full against Windthorst.

Anxious moments — The Italy dugout realizes they’ve got their hands full against Windthorst.

Image: What’s the plan — Coach Matt Coker helps his guys develop a strategy.

What’s the plan — Coach Matt Coker helps his guys develop a strategy.

Image: Desmond warms up — #15 Desmond Anderson gets warmed up in the batter’s circle.

Desmond warms up — #15 Desmond Anderson gets warmed up in the batter’s circle.

Image: Good sports — The Gladiators lead by example and congratulate the Windthorst team for playing a good game.

Good sports — The Gladiators lead by example and congratulate the Windthorst team for playing a good game.

Image: The last stand — The Italy Gladiators are disappointed but determined to do even better next season.

The last stand — The Italy Gladiators are disappointed but determined to do even better next season.

Image: Yeah, we wanted it — Don’t worry, the guys will shake this one off and return to the playoffs again next year. When Italy and Windthorst met at Area, Windthorst had already played twice as many games than the Gladiators.

Yeah, we wanted it — Don’t worry, the guys will shake this one off and return to the playoffs again next year. When Italy and Windthorst met at Area, Windthorst had already played twice as many games than the Gladiators.

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