Lady Gladiators force a game 3 against Blue Ridge

Image: Defining moment: Lady Gladiators show grit, tie series 1-1 — The Italy Lady Gladiators softball team overcame a game one loss to win game two, tying the regional semi-final series with Blue Ridge 1-1. A third and deciding game three will be Saturday, May 22 at 12:00 p.m. at Warren Middle School in Forney.

Defining moment: Lady Gladiators show grit, tie series 1-1 — The Italy Lady Gladiators softball team overcame a game one loss to win game two, tying the regional semi-final series with Blue Ridge 1-1. A third and deciding game three will be Saturday, May 22 at 12:00 p.m. at Warren Middle School in Forney. (Barry Byers)

Image: Alyssa Richards — Lady Gladiator catcher Alyssa Richards warms-up her pitcher before the game.

Alyssa Richards — Lady Gladiator catcher Alyssa Richards warms-up her pitcher before the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Anna Viers — Anna Viers gets the job done at shortstop for the Lady Gladiators.

Anna Viers — Anna Viers gets the job done at shortstop for the Lady Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Game one — The Lady Gladiators prepare to play game one of a double-header against the Blue Ridge Lady Tigers.

Game one — The Lady Gladiators prepare to play game one of a double-header against the Blue Ridge Lady Tigers. (Barry Byers)

Image: Loving to play — Anna’s shades say it all.

Loving to play — Anna’s shades say it all. (Barry Byers)

Image: Courtney Westbrook — Westbrook pitched 12 and a half innings against Blue Ridge in two games helping the Lady Gladiators tie the series 1-1.

Courtney Westbrook — Westbrook pitched 12 and a half innings against Blue Ridge in two games helping the Lady Gladiators tie the series 1-1. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bailey in centerfield — Bailey Bumpus had an exceptional day in centerfield for the Lady Gladiators snagging several fly balls while on the run.

Bailey in centerfield — Bailey Bumpus had an exceptional day in centerfield for the Lady Gladiators snagging several fly balls while on the run. (Barry Byers)

Image: Anna at the plate — Italy’s Anna Viers takes on Blue Ridge Lady Tiger pitcher Haleigh Pierce.

Anna at the plate — Italy’s Anna Viers takes on Blue Ridge Lady Tiger pitcher Haleigh Pierce. (Barry Byers)

Image: Alyssa connects — Alyssa Richards pounded away at the Lady Tigers.

Alyssa connects — Alyssa Richards pounded away at the Lady Tigers. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ripping the Tigers — Courtney Westbrook claws at the Blue Ridge Lady Tiger batters.

Ripping the Tigers — Courtney Westbrook claws at the Blue Ridge Lady Tiger batters. (Barry Byers)

Image: Almost, Drew! — Drew Windham almost beats the throw to first base in game one. Blue Ridge won the opener 4-1 but lost the second game of the double header 9-4 against Italy.

Almost, Drew! — Drew Windham almost beats the throw to first base in game one. Blue Ridge won the opener 4-1 but lost the second game of the double header 9-4 against Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Courtney hits — Courtney Westbrook tries to hit her way onto first base.

Courtney hits — Courtney Westbrook tries to hit her way onto first base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Getting angry — Anna Viers is not happy with her teams results as game one came to an end. Don’t make her angry.

Getting angry — Anna Viers is not happy with her teams results as game one came to an end. Don’t make her angry. (Barry Byers)

Image: Drew swings hard — Drew Windham tries to make something happen against Blue Ridge.

Drew swings hard — Drew Windham tries to make something happen against Blue Ridge. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bumpus scans field — Bailey Bumpus checks her grip before stepping into the batter’s box.

Bumpus scans field — Bailey Bumpus checks her grip before stepping into the batter’s box. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bump smacks it — Bailey Bumpus gets a hit in game one against Blue Ridge.

Bump smacks it — Bailey Bumpus gets a hit in game one against Blue Ridge. (Barry Byers)

Image: Megan advances — Megan Richards singles in game one and then advances to second base.

Megan advances — Megan Richards singles in game one and then advances to second base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Alyssa gets on — Alyssa Richards hits into the Blue Ridge outfield for a single.

Alyssa gets on — Alyssa Richards hits into the Blue Ridge outfield for a single. (Barry Byers)

Image: Viers gets second — Anna Viers gets to second base against the Lady Tigers in game two.

Viers gets second — Anna Viers gets to second base against the Lady Tigers in game two. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cori takes two — Cori Jeffords makes it to second base in game two.

Cori takes two — Cori Jeffords makes it to second base in game two. (Barry Byers)

Image: Between bases — Meredith Brummett looks for an opportunity to advance to third base in game two.

Between bases — Meredith Brummett looks for an opportunity to advance to third base in game two. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jeffords strikes fear — Cori Jeffords strikes fear into pitchers everywhere.

Jeffords strikes fear — Cori Jeffords strikes fear into pitchers everywhere. (Barry Byers)

Image: Drew’s ready — Drew Windham stares down the mound in game two.

Drew’s ready — Drew Windham stares down the mound in game two. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bump sac bunts — After Blue Ridge won game one 4-1, Bailey Bumpus and the Lady Gladiators laid it all on the line to win game two 9-4, forcing a third and deciding game on Saturday.

Bump sac bunts — After Blue Ridge won game one 4-1, Bailey Bumpus and the Lady Gladiators laid it all on the line to win game two 9-4, forcing a third and deciding game on Saturday. (Barry Byers)

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