Lady Gladiators show signs of going far after Spring Break Classic

Barry Byers Posted March 16, 2010 2:45am Lady Gladiator Softball

Image: The eyes of Jennifer Reeves, Sa’Kendra Norwood and Breyanna Beets — With their focus on the big picture, the Lady Gladiators pull inspiration from Constantine just before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge against Maxentius on October 28, 312. According to legend, a cross appeared to Constantine in the sky, after which he adopted the Latin motto “In hoc signo vinces” (In this sign you shall conquer). — The eyes of Jennifer Reeves, Sa’Kendra Norwood and Breyanna Beets — With their focus on the big picture, the Lady Gladiators pull inspiration from Constantine just before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge against Maxentius on October 28, 312. According to legend, a cross appeared to Constantine in the sky, after which he adopted the Latin motto “In hoc signo vinces” (In this sign you shall conquer).

Farmers Branch, Texas — The Italy Lady Gladiators Softball Team competed in the Spring Break Classic in Farmers Branch this past Thursday and Saturday. The only 1A school in the tournament, Italy finished in 3rd Place within the Silver bracket.

On Thursday, coaches Jennifer Reeves, Andrea Windham, Tina Richards and the Lady Gladiators played 3 pool games to determine tournament seeding.

In the first game against the 5A Flower Mound Lady Jaguars, Italy held their own but were unable to generate any runs in a 4-0 loss to the Lady Jags.

In their second game of pool play, the Midland Lady Bulldogs circled the bases 6 times to Italy’s none in a 6-0 win over the Lady Gladiators.

In the final game on Thursday, the Lady Gladiators finally broke into the scoring column but couldn’t hit their way into the win column absorbing an 11-1 loss to 3A China Springs. Courtney Westbrook was brought home by an Alyssa Richard’s RBI single to center field for Italy’s only score of the game.

“I was really pleased with “Court” (pitcher Courtney Westbrook) early on. Despite her struggles on the mound, she never doubted herself and just kept working. In fact, it was her lead-off triple that setup our first run of he tournament," said Coach Reeves.

To start tournament play within the Silver bracket of the Spring Break Classic, the Lady Gladiators recovered from their pool play woes and knocked the stripes off the 2A Grandview Zebras to earn a 1-0 victory. Westbrook recorded 8 strikeouts in the matchup.

Against the 5A Grand Prairie Lady Gophers, Italy’s long ballers remained grounded as the Lady Gophers burrowed in on defense to dig out a 6-0 win over the Lady Gladiators. Westbrook did, however, manage 5 strikeouts against those pesky rodents.

In Italy’s final game of the Spring Break Classic, the Lady Gladiators won a close one over the 3A Snyder Lady Tigers, 3-2. The 1-point win secured a 3rd place finish in the Silver bracket of the tournament for the Lady Gladiators.

Westbrook added 5 more strikeouts against Snyder and finished with 23 strikeouts all together.

Congratulations to freshman catcher Alyssa Richards who made the Spring Break Classic All-Tournament Team. Richards threw out 6 base runners at 2nd during the tournament.

The Lady Gladiators will travel as a team to watch the softball game between UTA and Baylor on Tuesday at the UTA campus. The team will start district play the week following spring break.

Good luck Lady Gladiators!

Cassi crosses the plate — Cassi jeffords crosses home plate behind Catcher Alyssa Richards during the lady Gladiators’ Monday practice session. (Barry Byers)

Swing away — Coach Jennifer Reeves and the lady Gladiator Softball Team will try to hit a championship out of the park this season. (Barry Byers)

Drew fields a grounder — Drew Windham gets some work done during Monday’s practice despite a sore leg. (Barry Byers)

Rounding 3rd — Katie Byers turns the corner at 3rd during situational drills. (Barry Byers)

Base work — Anna Viers returns the ball to the pitcher’s mound after a play at 2nd base with teammate Sierra Harris. (Barry Byers)

Watching coach — Paola Mata, Katie Byers, Sierra Harris and Alyssa Richards listen to Coach Reeves explain proper bunting techniques. (Barry Byers)

Battle tested — The softball glove of pitcher Courtney Westbrook is broken in and ready for battle. (Barry Byers)

Sierra’s on 3rd — Center fielder Khadijah Davis and shortstop Anna Viers try to keep Sierra Harris from scoring. (Barry Byers)

Paola peers out — Paola Mata keeps her eyes on the ball while running the bases. (Barry Byers)

Seniors combine — Drew Windham flips the ball to fellow senior, Cori Jeffords, for the out. (Barry Byers)

Good day for a cap — For Megan Richards, her glove will work just fine. (Barry Byers)

Ouch! — Coaches Andrea Windham and Jennifer Reeves check out the battle scar on Anna Viers. (Barry Byers)

Take a break — Paola Mata and Alma Suaste relax during a break from practice. (Barry Byers)

Sis, help! — Megan Richards helps her little sister, Alyssa Richards, get dressed for her catching duties. (Barry Byers)

Courtney Westbrook — Pitcher Courtney Westbrook pitched 6 games in a three day period to help the Lady Gladiators get 3rd place in the Silver bracket during the Spring Break Classic held in Farmers Branch, Texas. (Barry Byers)

Alyssa Richards — That smile behind the mask belongs to freshman Alyssa Richards. (Barry Byers)

Catching some heat — Catcher Alyssa Richards is entrusted with catching the fast balls from Lady Gladiator pitchers. (Barry Byers)

Beets in her cleats — Breyanna Beets is ready to race home. (Barry Byers)

Westbrook pitches — Courtney Westbrook releases a pitch while teammate Sa’Kendra Norwood heads for 2nd base. (Barry Byers)

Sitting at home — An exhausted Alyssa Richards sits at her home away from home. (Barry Byers)

Softball talk — Coach Jennifer Reeves talks to the team before ending Monday’s practice. (Barry Byers)

All-Tournament Team — Catcher Alyssa Richards made the Spring Break Classic All-Tournament Team. Not bad, considering Richards and her teammates were the only 1A school that competed. Richards threw out 6 runners on their way to 2nd during the tournament. (Barry Byers)

3rd place winners! — Members of the Lady Gladiator Softball Team, that competed in the Spring Break Classic in Farmers Branch, Texas are: Alma Suaste, Khadijah Davis, Katie Byers, Morgan Cockerham, Sierra Harris, Cori Jeffords, Drew Windham, Meredith Brummett, Alyssa Richards, Courtney Westbrook, Megan Richards and Anna Viers. (Barry Byers)