The IYAA (Italy Youth Athletic Association) 2010 Baseball/Softball season has begun. Despite a few early season rain-outs, several games have been played although some teams did not start until late this week.

Players from Avalon, Milford, Frost and Italy have joined forces to take on teams from towns such as Hillsboro, Itasca, Aquilla, Milford, Covington and Whitney.

Already there have been exciting ball games played including a game winning steal by Eric Carson, with 2-outs in the bottom of the 7th inning, to help the Gladdogs (14u boys), head coached by Gary Wood, win their season opener 6-5 over Whitney Blue. The Gladdogs are now 2-0 after a 5-2 win over Whitney Black with pitchers Kevin Roldan, John Byers and closer Justin Wood all pitching in from the mound.

Italy’s (15u girls), head coached by Doug Nelson, were powered by the right arm of pitcher Jaclynn Lewis, who knocked in a homerun as well, to help the Girls-in-Gold win their opener with a 9-4 win over Hillsboro. Coach Nelson’s girls are off to a 2-0 start after Lewis and Madison Washington both hit triples and Morgan Cockerham made it home by a nose to help beat Whitney 7-4.

Italy Red (T-Ball boys), head coached by Charles Hyles, rebounded from a loss against Whitney in game one to tie Itasca 10-10 in their second game of the season. Italy Red edged out Itasca 14, 4-2, in their third game with help from Cornelius Jones who belted a homerun and Grant Hamby who knocked in his first career homerun. Italy Red’s record is now 1-1-1.

Coach Ken Norwood and his 12 and under boys are off to 2-0 start. The teams first win came against Itasca 4-1 in their opener with Ty Windham pitching 10 strikeouts and Ken Norwood, Jr. catching. In their second game, Coach Norwood started Ryan Connor at the mound as Italy Orange crushed Whitney 4-1 Thursday night.

Italy 12 & under boys, head coached by Jason Escamilla relied on the combination of pitcher Adrian Acevedo and catcher John Escamilla, plus an inside the park homerun by Cody Boyd, to whip Whitney 12-3 in their opening game. Despite another Boyd homer in their second game on Thursday, the hometown boys lost to the Aquilla Cougars 10-3 to give Italy a 1-1 record to begin the season.

Despite impressive pitching from teammates Brittany Chambers and Hannah Washington, with Haley Turner catching, Italy Lime Green (12u girls), head coached by Michael Chambers, lost their season opener to Milford. Defensive play kept Italy in check while Milford, aided by Italy’s own Ka’Breona Davis, hit their way to a 16-2 victory.

Steven Mott’s 10 & under boys team defeated Whitney 3-0 in their first outing lead by Italy’s Trevor Mott who pitched a perfect game. Italy boasts a 2-0 record after an 11-1 win over Copperell in game two on Thursday.

Italy’s 8 & under girls coach pitch, head coached by Lisa Mott get the 7-2 win against Whitney in their opening game and held on for a 6-4 victory on Thursday to post a 2-0 record.

Robin Wafer and the Italy Pink Panthers (Girl’s 10u) won their opening game 9-1 and their second game 8-3 to start the season with a 2-0 record. Pitcher Brycelen “Cha Cha” Richards has been a beast for the Panthers!

Stephen Janek, the head coach of Italy’s Boy’s Machine Pitch team, fell 13-6 in Whitney to open their season but found a way to win against Milford 23 in their second game 4-3 and improve their record to 1-1.

Coach Tessa South and her Girl’s T-Ball team lost their opener to Whitney and came up just 3 runs shy of a win against Milford in their second game. Milford won 12-10 in an exciting matchup but it seems as though Italy’s youngest ladies are starting to get the swing of things and will take on Hillsboro 55 next.

Early scores indicate a banner season is in store for the IYAA so grab a seat on the bleachers or bring a long chair and catch a game or two. From girls and boys T-Ball teams to 14 & Under boys baseball and 15 & under girls softball, you don’t want to miss these youngsters in action.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, at the Upchurch Baseball Fields in Italy, the IYAA held its Picture Day as players and coaches flashed smiles as big as Texas. America’s Best Sports Photography setup a tent for individual shots and then finished with team shots amidst a scenic backdrop between two of the baseball fields.

Teams arrived according to their pre-arranged time slots with props in hand. Several players wanted their picture taken with their favorite bat, for example.

Good luck to all the teams this season and lay off the high ones!

IYAA Sports, “The winning tradition starts here.”