The JV baseball team stayed at home this week and hosted Red Oak Life. The Gladiators basically harnessed the Mustangs and put ’em up in the barn. The ending score was Italy 10 and Red Oak 4.

Italy worked their defense and offense for 7 innings and laid down the law with the Red Oak Mustangs. Pitching for the Gladiators was Caden Jacinto for a full 4 innings. Coach Josh Ward changed pitchers in the top of the 5th to Jase Holden.

Italy scored 4 runs in the bottom of the first inning and set the tone for the rest of the game. The Mustangs changed pitchers in the bottom of the 2nd inning hoping to vary the outcome of the game but that plan didn’t work either. The Gladiators held Red Oak back until the top of the fourth, when Mustang Logan Miller worked his way around the bases and finally scored.

Coach Ward is very proud of his young team, “We played well. We had our bats going. Kyle (Jackson) hit well and Caden stepped up and made difference. I did notice too many strikes-but that is something that can be fixed. Caden and Jase did a great job on the mound. This is our second game and expect more good games. They all played well.” Ward is working on this group because we are looking at the future Varsity of Italy baseball. “There is a lot of good talent here.”

The next JV game is on April 12 in Wortham. The game begins at 4:30.

Comment by Keith Roberts (April 7, 2010-8:20 a.m.)

It is great to see a J.V. baseball team in Italy again. I believe that Italy last had a J.V. team in ’03 or ’04. Coach Coker has brought the stability that the Italy baseball program has been badly needing. Young players are interested in the sport again, and the Italy summer leagues provide a good training and learning experience for these players. The high school field looks great, especially with the added improvements to the outfield fence. Congratulations to the coaching staff for rebuilding the baseball program in Italy.