Gladiator Baseball Season has begun

Anne Sutherland Posted March 1, 2011 2:00pm Italy Gladiator Baseball

Image: The Gladiators battle — Coach Josh Ward and the Italy Gladiators gather up during the game against the Meridian Yellow Jackets. The game was the first of the season. District play begins March 8 against Axtell. — The Gladiators battle — Coach Josh Ward and the Italy Gladiators gather up during the game against the Meridian Yellow Jackets. The game was the first of the season. District play begins March 8 against Axtell. (Anne Sutherland)

The Italy Gladiators traveled to Meridian this past Saturday to match up bats with the Yellow Jackets. The Gladiators got started on their season that will culminate in a district battle against Grandview, Maypearl, Axtell, Whitney, Clifton and Rio Vista.

Coach Josh Ward led his Gladiators into battle on Saturday afternoon against the Meridian Yellow Jackets. They held tight to the fight for the first few innings and then the Yellow Jackets stepped up to the plate and scored on the Gladiators’ defense. The final score was Meridian 6, Italy 3.

According to Ward, the pre-district game gave his Gladiators a foundation to build on, “I was pleased with the performance we gave today. We have some new players that got some varsity experience and it was a chance to get in the groove.”

“Buck (Justin Buchanan) threw well, Ethan hit good and Reid Jacinto played and hit well,” Ward said. The final tally for junior Justin Buchanan was 109 pitches. Scoring runs for Italy was Chase Hamilton, Alex DeMoss and Ethan Simon.

The next Gladiator game will be a JV matchup Tuesday, March 1 in Avalon. The game begins at 4:30. Please check the ItalyNeotribune Community Calendar for updated schedules.

Reid playing smart — Reid Jacinto (6) takes a few steps towards 2nd base. (Anne Sutherland)

DeMoss rounds the corner — Alex DeMoss (4) puts a score on the board in top of the 4th. (Anne Sutherland)

Hamilton protects — Chase Hamilton (10) moves just in time. (Anne Sutherland)

Here’s the wind up — Justin (Buck) Buchanan (13) has been pitching since he was in elementary. (Anne Sutherland)

Ross and Coach — Catcher Ross Stiles (1) and Coach Josh Ward go over the plan. (Anne Sutherland)

Simon is secure — Ethan Simon (9) takes care of first base. (Anne Sutherland)

A safe Yellow Jacket — Reid Jacinto covers 2nd but this Meridian player beats him to the bag. (Anne Sutherland)

Ross and Buck — Time out on the mound. (Anne Sutherland)

Go back — Alex DeMoss works the pitcher and first base. (Anne Sutherland)

Tony at bat — Tony Wooldridge (2) walked to 1st during the 4th inning. (Anne Sutherland)

Here we go, Buck — Justin Buchanan (13) gives a base hit. (Anne Sutherland)

Eric keeps a gap — Pinch runner Eric “Three Money” Carson takes a few steps. (Anne Sutherland)