Italy Gladiators are district champs

Image: Gladiator-District Champions — This team has worked hard all season and is number one. The first round of playoffs will begin in the second week of May.

Gladiator-District Champions — This team has worked hard all season and is number one. The first round of playoffs will begin in the second week of May. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Coach Coker — Coach Matt Coker has been the Italy baseball coach for three years. The hard work has paid off.

Coach Coker — Coach Matt Coker has been the Italy baseball coach for three years. The hard work has paid off. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Holden is up — Jase Holden takes careful aim at his opponents and said, “It’s been a lot of hard work that has finally paid off.”

Holden is up — Jase Holden takes careful aim at his opponents and said, “It’s been a lot of hard work that has finally paid off.” (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Bring it, Justin — Justin Buchanan works hard on the mound.

Bring it, Justin — Justin Buchanan works hard on the mound. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Josh has got this — Milligan scored in the top of the 4th.

Josh has got this — Milligan scored in the top of the 4th. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Ashcraft is up — Catcher Ryan Ashcraft aims for the outfield. He said, “After an emotional loss last year, it is good to come back and win it. We are the best team in our district.”

Ashcraft is up — Catcher Ryan Ashcraft aims for the outfield. He said, “After an emotional loss last year, it is good to come back and win it. We are the best team in our district.” (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Simon is ready — Ethan Simon was intentionally walked in top of the 7th inning.

Simon is ready — Ethan Simon was intentionally walked in top of the 7th inning. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Anderson and Patterson — Jasenio and Trevor guard Frost to keep from scoring.

Anderson and Patterson — Jasenio and Trevor guard Frost to keep from scoring. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Ryan is on — Ashcraft brought Colten Campbell home in top of the 7th inning.

Ryan is on — Ashcraft brought Colten Campbell home in top of the 7th inning. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Ivan takes over — Ivan Roldan is a courtesy runner for Ashcraft.

Ivan takes over — Ivan Roldan is a courtesy runner for Ashcraft. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Italy’s youngest fan — Avery Gage sits with “Nana” Ramona Simon and enjoys french fries and Italy baseball.

Italy’s youngest fan — Avery Gage sits with “Nana” Ramona Simon and enjoys french fries and Italy baseball. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: He already knows — Frost’s Coach Revil already knows the outcome of this game.

He already knows — Frost’s Coach Revil already knows the outcome of this game. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Campbell watches carefully — You can’t get past Colten Campbell on first.

Campbell watches carefully — You can’t get past Colten Campbell on first. (Anne Sutherland)

Image: Buck has the heat — Coach Coker mentioned Justin Buchanan played exceptional this season.

Buck has the heat — Coach Coker mentioned Justin Buchanan played exceptional this season. (Anne Sutherland)

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