Lady Gladiators Softball starts season with win over Palmer

Image: Lady Gladiator Anna Viers(6) beats Palmers’ throw to first base — There goes Anna! Already leading 2-0 In the top of the second-inning, Italy’s lead-off hitter, Anna Viers(6), beats the throw to first base and loads the bases against Palmer.

Lady Gladiator Anna Viers(6) beats Palmers’ throw to first base — There goes Anna! Already leading 2-0 In the top of the second-inning, Italy’s lead-off hitter, Anna Viers(6), beats the throw to first base and loads the bases against Palmer. (Barry Byers)

Image: Crazy hair day — It was “crazy hair day” at the ballpark for the Lady Gladiators season opener against Palmer. Actually, for Morgan Cockerham and Drenda Burk, it was just a tad breezy.

Crazy hair day — It was “crazy hair day” at the ballpark for the Lady Gladiators season opener against Palmer. Actually, for Morgan Cockerham and Drenda Burk, it was just a tad breezy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Pre-game cheers — Bailey Bumpus and Alyssa Richards look on during team introductions before the game.

Pre-game cheers — Bailey Bumpus and Alyssa Richards look on during team introductions before the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Let’s play ball! — Lady Gladiator second baseman Mary Tate is just ready to get the game started.

Let’s play ball! — Lady Gladiator second baseman Mary Tate is just ready to get the game started. (Barry Byers)

Image: Paige Westbrook — Paige Westbrook will follow in her sister’s cleat prints as a member of the Lady Gladiator softball team. Sister, Courtney Westbrook, was on hand to watch her younger sister and former teammates take on the Lady Bulldogs of Palmer.

Paige Westbrook — Paige Westbrook will follow in her sister’s cleat prints as a member of the Lady Gladiator softball team. Sister, Courtney Westbrook, was on hand to watch her younger sister and former teammates take on the Lady Bulldogs of Palmer. (Barry Byers)

Image: She’s back! — Lady Gladiator catcher Alyssa Richards gears up for the season opener against Palmer.

She’s back! — Lady Gladiator catcher Alyssa Richards gears up for the season opener against Palmer. (Barry Byers)

Image: New infield — Italy’s infield has added a couple of new faces this season with Katie Byers at third and Mary Tate at second base. Playing centerfield last time out, Bailey Bumpus has moved to first base for head Coach Jennifer Reeves and played a great opening day game.

New infield — Italy’s infield has added a couple of new faces this season with Katie Byers at third and Mary Tate at second base. Playing centerfield last time out, Bailey Bumpus has moved to first base for head Coach Jennifer Reeves and played a great opening day game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Mary’s on patrol — Always on the lookout, second baseman Mary Tate(5) patrols the beach.

Mary’s on patrol — Always on the lookout, second baseman Mary Tate(5) patrols the beach. (Barry Byers)

Image: This glove fits — Bailey Bumpus(4) tightens the glove, that holds the bat, that breaks pitcher’s hearts.

This glove fits — Bailey Bumpus(4) tightens the glove, that holds the bat, that breaks pitcher’s hearts. (Barry Byers)

Image: A hit with fans — At her first at bat, lead-off batter Anna Viers(6) hits a lead-off single to lead the attack for the Lady Gladiators.

A hit with fans — At her first at bat, lead-off batter Anna Viers(6) hits a lead-off single to lead the attack for the Lady Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Nice hit — Megan Richards(22) spends her time hitting when she’s not busy pitching and records a double against Palmer.

Nice hit — Megan Richards(22) spends her time hitting when she’s not busy pitching and records a double against Palmer. (Barry Byers)

Image: Making plays — Anna Viers(6) slides into home and gives Italy a 1-0 lead over the Palmer Lady Bulldogs.

Making plays — Anna Viers(6) slides into home and gives Italy a 1-0 lead over the Palmer Lady Bulldogs. (Barry Byers)

Image: Katie stands in — “Yeah, I was nervous.” said Katie Byers after taking her first swings of the 2011 season. Katie is also a Lady Gladiator Softball legacy following the path left by her sister, Lauren Byers. Lauren was also at the game showing her support for this years team.

Katie stands in — “Yeah, I was nervous.” said Katie Byers after taking her first swings of the 2011 season. Katie is also a Lady Gladiator Softball legacy following the path left by her sister, Lauren Byers. Lauren was also at the game showing her support for this years team. (Barry Byers)

Image: Strike three! — Lady Gladiator pitcher Megan Richards(22) kept Palmer’s batters guessing during a stellar shutout performance.

Strike three! — Lady Gladiator pitcher Megan Richards(22) kept Palmer’s batters guessing during a stellar shutout performance. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bat has a hole in it — Sisters, catcher Alyssa Richards and pitcher Megan Richards, were on their game and kept Palmer off their mark.

Bat has a hole in it — Sisters, catcher Alyssa Richards and pitcher Megan Richards, were on their game and kept Palmer off their mark. (Barry Byers)

Image: I have your back! — Second baseman Mary Tate(5) covers first for first baseman Bailey Bumpus who makes the throw for the out.

I have your back! — Second baseman Mary Tate(5) covers first for first baseman Bailey Bumpus who makes the throw for the out. (Barry Byers)

Image: Mo-mentum — Morgan “Mo” Cockerham tries to lay down a bunt against the Lady Bulldogs and keep the momentum on Italy’s side.

Mo-mentum — Morgan “Mo” Cockerham tries to lay down a bunt against the Lady Bulldogs and keep the momentum on Italy’s side. (Barry Byers)

Image: Anna beats out throw — Italy’s Anna Viers hits and then beat’s out the throw to first for a bases-loaded single.

Anna beats out throw — Italy’s Anna Viers hits and then beat’s out the throw to first for a bases-loaded single. (Barry Byers)

Image: Power with a bow on it — Alyssa Richards will be relying on her bat just as much as her catcher’s mitt to help the Lady Gladiators be successful this season.

Power with a bow on it — Alyssa Richards will be relying on her bat just as much as her catcher’s mitt to help the Lady Gladiators be successful this season. (Barry Byers)

Image: With cheese please — Breyanna Beets, team manager Jaclynn Lewis, Katie Byers, Megan Richards and Bailey Bumpus put the “fun” in fundraiser during their burger sale.

With cheese please — Breyanna Beets, team manager Jaclynn Lewis, Katie Byers, Megan Richards and Bailey Bumpus put the “fun” in fundraiser during their burger sale. (Barry Byers)

Image: Buy a burger… — How would you like your burger sliced? Lady Gladiators Megan Richards and Bailey Bumpus make a great sales force.

Buy a burger… — How would you like your burger sliced? Lady Gladiators Megan Richards and Bailey Bumpus make a great sales force. (Barry Byers)

Image: We’re cooking now! — James Viers and Erick Thompson help get Lady Gladiator fans fired-up for the upcoming season during the teams burger fundraiser at the Italy High School Cafeteria.

We’re cooking now! — James Viers and Erick Thompson help get Lady Gladiator fans fired-up for the upcoming season during the teams burger fundraiser at the Italy High School Cafeteria. (Barry Byers)

Image: Annette has a burger — Annette Hooser, grandmother of Lady Gladiator softball player Anna Viers, enjoys her burger for the cause.

Annette has a burger — Annette Hooser, grandmother of Lady Gladiator softball player Anna Viers, enjoys her burger for the cause. (Barry Byers)

Image: It’s for the team — John Escamilla and Chace McGinnis enjoy their chocolate chip cookies after devouring their burgers. Just another example of how Lady Gladiator fans are willing to sacrifice for the team.

It’s for the team — John Escamilla and Chace McGinnis enjoy their chocolate chip cookies after devouring their burgers. Just another example of how Lady Gladiator fans are willing to sacrifice for the team. (Barry Byers)

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