Jamie McIntyre eyes the competition during tournament play — Jamie McIntyre helps Italy’s 15 & Under Girls softball team get second place in the division tournament. (Barry Byers)
Glove five — Catcher Mary Tate, pitcher Jaclynn Lewis, shortstop Bailey Eubank and first baseman Sa’Kendra Norwood keep each other pumped up after getting an out against Itasca. (Barry Byers)
Take that! — Pitcher Jaclynn Lewis fires a strike across the plate. (Barry Byers)
Maddog — Third baseman Madison Washington battles the sun as well as Itasca. (Barry Byers)
Jac-attack — Jaclynn Lewis keeps the fast balls coming against Itasca. (Barry Byers)
Coach advises — Coach Doug Nelson gives advice to Mary Tate before she goes up to bat. (Barry Byers)
Norwood’s on 1st — First baseman Sa’Kendra Norwood is a vocal leader for the Lady Gladiators. (Barry Byers)
Advantage batter — Being a pitcher herself, Jaclynn Lewis knows what to look for from the opposition. (Barry Byers)
Close play — Itasca made the plays they needed as slap hitter Bailey Eubank can’t quite beat the throw before reaching first base. (Barry Byers)
Eyes on the ball — Catcher Mary Tate displayed toughness for Italy’s 15 & Under Lady Gladiators softball team surviving two collisions at the plate against Itasca. (Barry Byers)
Bailey bats — Bailey DeBorde tries to put one over the Itasca infielders. (Barry Byers)
Nelson’s ready — Kelsey Nelson is versatile playing multiple positions during the tournament. (Barry Byers)
And Twins! — Twin brothers Austin and Aaron Pittmon look confident before Italy’s rematch with Whitney. (Barry Byers)
Levi pitches well — Levi McBride goes the distance against Whitney to help Italy win 17-5 before the 6th inning. (Barry Byers)
Dusty, but safe! — With rain clouds on the horizon, Ty Windham creates a dust storm by sliding home to score a run against Whitney. (Barry Byers)
Lil’ bit lucky — Kevin “Lil’ K” Johnson draws attention to himself and gets in a run down between third base and home. Johnson eventually crossed the plate for a score standing up. (Barry Byers)
The Intimidator — Aaron Pittmon shifts on his back leg before the pitch. (Barry Byers)
Brandon scores — Brandon Connor scores to help Italy win the rematch against Whitney 17-5. (Barry Byers)
Levi gets the win — Pitcher Levi McBride goes the whole way against Whitney to get the win. The effort by McBride allowed pitcher/first baseman Ty Windham to take the slope against Itasca with a fresh arm. (Barry Byers)
Count it! — Brandon Connor slides across the plate against Itasca in game two. (Barry Byers)
Dramatic play — Levi McBride tries leaping over Itasca’s catcher in a gutsy attemt to give Italy the lead late in the game. Itasca’s catcher displayed guts as well and held on to the ball for an out. (Barry Byers)
Ken Norwood — Shortstop Kenneth Norwood belted a homerun and a bases loaded triple in game one against Whitney and 3-run triple that knocked Whitney out of the tournament in their second meeting. (Barry Byers)
Line of fire — What opposing batters see when Ty Windham delivers a strike. (Barry Byers)
Connor catches — Catcher Ryan Connor had a solid tournament including tagging two Whitney runners out before they could make it to the plate in the rematch. (Barry Byers)