Lady Gladiators duel with Hubbard for top spot in district

Image: Sing it proud, Meg! — Courtney Westbrook, Drew Windham, Megan Richards and Alyssa Ricahrds stand with their team during the playing of the National Anthem before the start of the game against Hubbard Tuesday evening.

Sing it proud, Meg! — Courtney Westbrook, Drew Windham, Megan Richards and Alyssa Ricahrds stand with their team during the playing of the National Anthem before the start of the game against Hubbard Tuesday evening. (Barry Byers)

Image: Home of the brave — Khadijah Davis and Casi Jefffords stand at the ready during the playing of the National Anthem before the war with Hubbard on Italy’s home field.

Home of the brave — Khadijah Davis and Casi Jefffords stand at the ready during the playing of the National Anthem before the war with Hubbard on Italy’s home field. (Barry Byers)

Image: No worries — Coach Jennifer Reeves and Bailey Bumpus share a light moment during warm-ups before the game against Hubbard.

No worries — Coach Jennifer Reeves and Bailey Bumpus share a light moment during warm-ups before the game against Hubbard. (Barry Byers)

Image: So many balls… — …so little time. Drenda Burk gets in some batting practice before the game against Hubbard.

So many balls… — …so little time. Drenda Burk gets in some batting practice before the game against Hubbard. (Barry Byers)

Image: It’s time… — The Lady Gladiators get ready to take on the Hubbard Lady Jaguars.

It’s time… — The Lady Gladiators get ready to take on the Hubbard Lady Jaguars. (Barry Byers)

Image: Casi in the cage — Casi Jeffords works on her bunt technique in the batters cage with coach Tina Richards.

Casi in the cage — Casi Jeffords works on her bunt technique in the batters cage with coach Tina Richards. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bailey ball — Bailey Bumpus makes a throw from centerfield.

Bailey ball — Bailey Bumpus makes a throw from centerfield. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gone with the wind — When Alyssa Richards throws a softball, it’s gone!

Gone with the wind — When Alyssa Richards throws a softball, it’s gone! (Barry Byers)

Image: Meredith throws — Meredith Brummett makes a throw from left field.

Meredith throws — Meredith Brummett makes a throw from left field. (Barry Byers)

Image: Viers follows thru — Anna Viers works on catching and throwing before the game.

Viers follows thru — Anna Viers works on catching and throwing before the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Strike three! — Courtney Westbrook pitches a strike to teammate Alyssa Richards behind the plate against Hubbard.

Strike three! — Courtney Westbrook pitches a strike to teammate Alyssa Richards behind the plate against Hubbard. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy vs. Hubbard — Drew Windham(14) connects on a Skilling fast ball.

Italy vs. Hubbard — Drew Windham(14) connects on a Skilling fast ball. (Barry Byers)

Image: Megan hits — Megan Richards(22) blasts a high pop-up to right field.

Megan hits — Megan Richards(22) blasts a high pop-up to right field. (Barry Byers)

Image: On fire! — Italy’s Courtney Westbrook pitched another great game.

On fire! — Italy’s Courtney Westbrook pitched another great game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Up her sleeve — Anna Viers takes the “hit a homerun sign” from coach Jennifer Reeves.

Up her sleeve — Anna Viers takes the “hit a homerun sign” from coach Jennifer Reeves. (Barry Byers)

Image: The stare down — Meredith Brummett takes a practice swing before stepping into the batter’s box against Hubbard’s pitcher Cassie Skilling.

The stare down — Meredith Brummett takes a practice swing before stepping into the batter’s box against Hubbard’s pitcher Cassie Skilling. (Barry Byers)

Image: Just checking — Drew Windham tries to catch this Hubbard Lady Jaguar taking a cat nap at first.

Just checking — Drew Windham tries to catch this Hubbard Lady Jaguar taking a cat nap at first. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cori clobbers ball — Cori Jeffords(15) hits to get on base at a crucial time in the rivalry matchup with Hubbard.

Cori clobbers ball — Cori Jeffords(15) hits to get on base at a crucial time in the rivalry matchup with Hubbard. (Barry Byers)

Image: Player support — Jase Holden and Desmond Anderson come by to support their ladies after clinching their district championship 8-1 over Frost.

Player support — Jase Holden and Desmond Anderson come by to support their ladies after clinching their district championship 8-1 over Frost. (Barry Byers)

Image: Softball talk — Lady Gladiator catcher Alyssa Richards visits with pitcher Courtney Westbrook on the mound.

Softball talk — Lady Gladiator catcher Alyssa Richards visits with pitcher Courtney Westbrook on the mound. (Barry Byers)

Image: Next up — Growing up a Lady Gladiator. Freshman Katie Byers follows in her sister’s cleats as a member of the Lady Gladiators Softball team. Sister Lauren Byers was a 2008 graduate of Italy High School and was an all-district performer for the Lady Gladiators Softball team.

Next up — Growing up a Lady Gladiator. Freshman Katie Byers follows in her sister’s cleats as a member of the Lady Gladiators Softball team. Sister Lauren Byers was a 2008 graduate of Italy High School and was an all-district performer for the Lady Gladiators Softball team. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Suastenator — Alma Suaste has been a solid performer in the outfield for Italy’s coach Jennifer Reeves. Just a sophomore, Alma will be back for two more seasons.

The Suastenator — Alma Suaste has been a solid performer in the outfield for Italy’s coach Jennifer Reeves. Just a sophomore, Alma will be back for two more seasons. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tight grip — Freshman Anna Viers is aggressive at the plate for Italy.

Tight grip — Freshman Anna Viers is aggressive at the plate for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Let’s taste victory! — Lady Gladiator Courtney Westbrook and her teammates rinse out the bitter taste of a loss to Hubbard and get focused on Frost.

Let’s taste victory! — Lady Gladiator Courtney Westbrook and her teammates rinse out the bitter taste of a loss to Hubbard and get focused on Frost. (Barry Byers)

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