Glory Days for the Gladiators are here

Anne Sutherland Posted May 12, 2010 2:45pm Italy Gladiator Baseball

Image: Anderson begins the game — Jasenio Anderson pitched in the double header against Hawley. — Anderson begins the game — Jasenio Anderson pitched in the double header against Hawley. (Anne Sutherland)

The Italy Gladiators have warmed up and are now considered toasty. Eagerly awaiting playoff day, the varsity team has officially warmed up with some other teams and now they are ready.

IHS played against Dawson and Meridian in a doubleheader on Saturday, May 1. The boys also traveled to Stephenville this past weekend to take on the Hawley Bearcats at Tarleton State in a doubleheader. The Gladiators lost all but one of the games; however, the matchups were to help get the team ready.

“These games will only make us better,” Coach Matt Coker explained. “Coach Helms (Hawley Coach) was complimentary of our kids. He said I had good looking kids and they play well.” Considering the recent losses of the warm up games for the team, Coker said, “We’ll be all right. We made some mistakes but all are easily correctable. We need to wipe this game off the slate. We’ve been playing, working and practicing hard. It’s time to take a minute, rest up, and be mentally refreshed for the playoffs. Let’s go get ’em!”

All games will be at Royse City High School against Dodd City. The schedule for playoffs are as follows:

Game 1 Friday May 14, 7:00pm
Game 2 Saturday May 15, 1:00 pm
Game 3 (if necessary) starts 30 minutes after the completion of Game 2

Everyone is encouraged to come to the games and cheer the Gladiators on to victory.

UIL Bracket

Somewhere in the dugout — Ivan Roldan looks on as the Varsity Gladiators play against the Hawley Bearcats. (Anne Sutherland)

Colten RBI’s — Colten Campbell hits an RBI single to left field and scores Jasenio Anderson. (Anne Sutherland)

Close but no cigar — Colten Campbell tries to get this Bearcat out at first. (Anne Sutherland)

Dan hangs on — Dan Crownover slides back to second. (Anne Sutherland)

Ashcraft works it out — Ryan Ashcraft searches for the call Coach Coker wants. (Anne Sutherland)

Check it out — Colten Campbell cracks this one to the outfield. (Look at the ball directly in front of the bat.) (Anne Sutherland)

Dan “The Man” — Dan gets this Bearcat out at second. (Anne Sutherland)

Trevor pitches heat — Trevor Patterson stops a few Bearcats at the plate. (Anne Sutherland)

Woah! Jase — That one was a little too close for comfort. (Anne Sutherland)

DeMoss in left field — #33, DH for the Bearcats, sent a fly ball to left and Alex made the catch. (Anne Sutherland)

Just a few words — Coach Coker takes a moment with his infield. (Anne Sutherland)

Hold on, Ivan — Ivan Roldan protects the plate. (Anne Sutherland)

Oscar Gonzalez — Oscar is on deck. (Anne Sutherland)

Caden sends it — In the bottom of the 5th, Coker puts Caden Jacinto in to pitch. (Anne Sutherland)