Lady Gladiators celebrate Senior Day with a district win

Barry Byers Posted April 27, 2010 8:00pm Lady Gladiator Softball

Image: Meredith, Drew, Courtney and Cori are are honored on Senior Day — The Lady Gladiator Softball Team’s graduating seniors are: Meredith Brummett, Cori Jeffords, Courtney Westbrook and Drew Windham. Four amazing girls, four amazing years and four balloons drift away from the pitcher’s mound in their honor. — Meredith, Drew, Courtney and Cori are are honored on Senior Day — The Lady Gladiator Softball Team’s graduating seniors are: Meredith Brummett, Cori Jeffords, Courtney Westbrook and Drew Windham. Four amazing girls, four amazing years and four balloons drift away from the pitcher’s mound in their honor. (Barry Byers)

Best 2-out of-3 playoff schedule vs. DeLeon:

Friday, April 30 6:00 p.m. @ Glen Rose
Saturday, May 1 4:00 p.m. @ Glen Rose
Saturday, May 1 6:00 p.m. @ Glen Rose (if needed)

Ticket prices are $3 for students and $5 for adults. Senior citizen discount.

Italy — The Italy Lady Gladiators Softball Team lead by their four graduating seniors, Meredith Brummett, Cori Jeffords, Courtney Westbrook and Drew Windham, won their final district game of the season over the Frost Lady Polar Bears on Friday.

Before the game the seniors were wearing crowns that read, “Seniors 2010,”
and were escorted by their parents from the dugout to the first base line during their introductions. After receiving flowers and balloons, the four seniors gathered at home plate and then walked out to the pitcher’s mound with each carrying baloons.

The ladies released their balloons into the air symbolic of their four amazing years that now seem to have flown by so quickly. And with that, Brummett, Jeffords, Windham and Westbrook rejoined the team. Head coach Jennifer Reeves broke the team from the huddle and Italy took the field to take on Frost.

Italy’s Westbrook strikes out the first Frost batter, then it was all down hill for the Lady Bears. Westbrook finished the 5 inning game with 6 k’s in all. Westbrook hit on base as well to help the Lady Gladiators cruise in this one.

Windham put in another all-district performance on first base to complete a solid district season a well. Windham was also a threat when up to bat. Her best hit of the afternoon was a double. Windham scored 3-of-4 times at bat.

Cori Jeffords hit to move a runner to 3rd base early and then hit an RBI single later in the contest. As second baseman for the Lady Gladiators, Jeffords fielded a couple of grounders and then underhanded them to Windham on first base for back-to-back outs in the 4th inning. Make no mistake, Jeffords has a gun for an arm as she displayed in practice on Monday.

Meredith Brummett swatted a single against the Lady Polar Bears and then stole second. Brummett advanced to third base and was then knocked in by Megan Richards. Brummett who is the starting left fielder for the Lady Gladiators also saw time at shortstop in Italy’s final home game.

Starting shortstop Anna Viers continues to be a playmaker for the Lady Gladiators. Having a chance to see Viers in practice on Monday, she practices as hard as she plays. Against Frost, Viers put herself in harms way to tag out a sliding Lady Polar Bear before reaching second base. Viers is fierce swinging a bat and fast as well, stretching out a triple against Frost.

Freshman catcher Alyssa Richards continues to impress. Extremely active against Frost, Richards let nothing get past her. Willing to throw out base runners at any moment, Richards and her fellow infielders are gutsy. Richards is also a reliable hitter for Coach Reeves as the powerful freshman carves out a name for herself thru opposing defenses.

Third baseman Megan Richards anchors the infield showing the ability to field grounders and accurately throwing runners out before they make it to first base. Against Frost, it was Megan’s hitting drawing cheers from the crowd with her strength to drive pitches into the outfield.

Center fielder Bailey Bumpus is known for her long ball hitting, however, it could be her ability to track fly balls and throw with precision to home plate that makes the difference in the playoffs for the Lady Gladiators. Bumpus had a strong outing against Frost including a blast that dropped into left field.

Alma Suaste has risen to the forefront as Italy’s right fielder. With key catches against Dawson and Hubbard, Suaste adds speed to the Lady Gladiator defense. Proving herself a hitter as well, it was a double by Suaste that sealed the deal against Frost as the Lady Gladiators run-ruled the Lady Polar Bears in 5 innings, 10-0.

The Lady Gladiators are not without depth as they enter the post-season as Coach Reeves has a plethora of young talent to call on. Khadijah Davis earned a walk against the Lady Polar Bears on Friday while Casi Jeffords logged minutes in left field. Davis, Casi, Drenda Burk and Katie Byers all looked solid in practice as each took reps in the outfield on Monday.

The Lady Gladiators finished in 2nd place in district behind Hubbard and are now concentrating on the playoffs. “We are ready for the next round and are very excited about extending our season. We have four great seniors to lead us and a talented young group of playmakers that continue to improve. We’ve been waiting for this moment since our final game last season…I’m glad the wait is finally over,” stated a determined looking Coach Reeves.

The Lady Gladiators will face DeLeon in the 1st round of the playoffs. In a best 2-out of-3 series. The first game will be Friday, April 30 at 6:00 p.m. in Glen Rose. The second game will be Saturday, May 1 at 4:00 p.m. in Glen Rose, and if needed, a 6:00 p.m. game on Saturday as well.

Ticket prices are $3 for students and $5 for adults. Senior citizen discount. Please come help support you Lady Gladiator softball team!

It’s time, Ladies!

Glove taps — Cori Jeffords, Drew Windham, Courtney Westbrook and Megan Richards get glove taps from their infield teammates, Anna Viers and Alyssa Richards. (Barry Byers)

Lucky 7 — Alma Suaste attempts an over the shoulder catch during warmups. (Barry Byers)

Crowning moment — Drew Windham works on her bunting while wearing her Senior 2010 crown. (Barry Byers)

Megan warms up — Megan Richards warms up her pitching arm before the game against Frost. Fortunately, she was able to keep it rested with senior Courtney Wesbrook able to pitch the entire game. (Barry Byers)

Casi hustles — Casi Jeffords gives 110% going after a blooper during the pre-game. (Barry Byers)

Anna is athletic — Shortstop Anna Viers digs a grounder out of the sand. (Barry Byers)

Powers activated! — Drenda Burk and Alma Suaste demonstrate their unique high-five. (Barry Byers)

T-a-l-e-n-t-e-d — Senior Cori Jeffords backhands a grounder during the pre-game warmups. (Barry Byers)

Proud parents — Courtney Westbrook stands with her parents, Kelly and Angie, during the Senior Day introductions. (Barry Byers)

All in the family — Graduating Senior Drew Windham holds her parents, Joe and Andi, close during her introduction on Senior Day. Joe is an umpire, by the way, and Andi is an assistant coach for the softball team and a teacher at Italy High School.

We love this girl — Graduating senior Meredith Brummett stands with her parents, Donald and Karen, during her introduction on Senior Day.

Here for Cori — Graduating senior Cori jeffords is escorted by her parents, John and Mikki, during her introduction on Senior Day. As if she needed an introduction.

Infielders feeling good — The Lady Gladiators are feeling good about their performance during the Frost game. (Barry Byers)

Seniors connect — Left fielder Meredith Brummett fires the ball into second baseman Cori Jeffords to hold the Frost runner on base. (Barry Byers)

Looking ahead — Senior Drew Windham checks with the dugout before going up to the plate. (Barry Byers)

On the mark — Lady Gladiator catcher Alyssa Richards catches a strike from her senior pitcher, Courtney Westbrook. (Barry Byers)

Viers wins crash — Shortstop Anna Viers hops up after getting the Frost runner out at second base. (Barry Byers)

Play at first — Lady Gladiator first baseman Drew Windham catches a pass from catcher Alyssa Richards in an attempt to sneak up on a Lady Polar Bear. (Barry Byers)

Bailey’s ready — Bailey Bumpus eyes the Frost pitcher before going up to bat. (Barry Byers)

Touchdown! — The Lady Gladiators lead 7-0 midway thru the game against Frost as Courtney Westbrook celebrates hitting a single. (Barry Byers)

One-One is on. — Senior Meredith Brummett(11) beats the throw to first base for a single. (Barry Byers)

Glad and sad — Lady Gladiator Drew Windham takes in her final moments as a senior playing on Italy’s home field. (Barry Byers)

Cori’s smiling — Cori “No Guts, No Glory” Jeffords, a graduating senior, has fun after the game on Senior Night collecting balloons full of memories. (Barry Byers)