Italy travels to Maypearl hoping to shine on sand covered diamonds

Image: What a play! Italy’s shortstop Anna Viers gets the out at second — Lady Gladiator shortstop, Anna Viers, covers second base, snags the throw from catcher, Alyssa Richards, and tags a Maypearl runner for an out. Italy started strong but the Maypearl Lady Panthers eventually built a 10-0 win.

What a play! Italy’s shortstop Anna Viers gets the out at second — Lady Gladiator shortstop, Anna Viers, covers second base, snags the throw from catcher, Alyssa Richards, and tags a Maypearl runner for an out. Italy started strong but the Maypearl Lady Panthers eventually built a 10-0 win. (Barry Byers)

Image: The lineup — Alyssa Richards, Anna Viers and Megan Richards get prepared to swat some softballs.

The lineup — Alyssa Richards, Anna Viers and Megan Richards get prepared to swat some softballs. (Barry Byers)

Image: Anna studies the mound — Italy’s Anna Viers evaluates Maypearl’s pitcher.

Anna studies the mound — Italy’s Anna Viers evaluates Maypearl’s pitcher. (Barry Byers)

Image: Beets looks determined — Breyanna Beets looks determined to make something happen.

Beets looks determined — Breyanna Beets looks determined to make something happen. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ground ball — Italy’s Alyssa Richards(12) belts a grounder towards Mayearl’s second baseman.

Ground ball — Italy’s Alyssa Richards(12) belts a grounder towards Mayearl’s second baseman. (Barry Byers)

Image: Rising up — Megan Richards tries to stir thing up against Maypearl.

Rising up — Megan Richards tries to stir thing up against Maypearl. (Barry Byers)

Image: “Mo” on the move — Italy’s Morgan “Mo” Cockerham attacks a bunt from first base.

“Mo” on the move — Italy’s Morgan “Mo” Cockerham attacks a bunt from first base. (Barry Byers)

Image: All in — Anna Viers, Morgan Cockerham, Bailey Bumpus and Megan Richards try to inspire a rally.

All in — Anna Viers, Morgan Cockerham, Bailey Bumpus and Megan Richards try to inspire a rally. (Barry Byers)

Image: Look out! — Morgan Cockerham strikes fear into opposing defenses.

Look out! — Morgan Cockerham strikes fear into opposing defenses. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bring the heat — Lady Gladiator Alyssa Richards imposes her might at the plate.

Bring the heat — Lady Gladiator Alyssa Richards imposes her might at the plate. (Barry Byers)

Image: With flare — Third baseman, Katie Byers, closes in on the bunt and guns down a Maypearl runner.

With flare — Third baseman, Katie Byers, closes in on the bunt and guns down a Maypearl runner. (Barry Byers)

Image: We got your back — The dugout makes some noise as Megan Richards prepares to step up to the plate.

We got your back — The dugout makes some noise as Megan Richards prepares to step up to the plate. (Barry Byers)

Image: Getting in rhythm — Lady Gladiator Anna Viers takes a practice swing before stepping into the batter’s box.

Getting in rhythm — Lady Gladiator Anna Viers takes a practice swing before stepping into the batter’s box. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bumpus can bring it — Lady Gladiator Bailey Bumpus is looking for just the right pitch.

Bumpus can bring it — Lady Gladiator Bailey Bumpus is looking for just the right pitch. (Barry Byers)

Image: No further — Italy’s Anna Viers holds a Lady Panther on second.

No further — Italy’s Anna Viers holds a Lady Panther on second. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bailey Walton — JV pitcher, Bailey Walton, leads Italy to an 8-2 win.

Bailey Walton — JV pitcher, Bailey Walton, leads Italy to an 8-2 win. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cole’s on first — Italy JV Gladiator, Cole Hopkins(21) tries to hold a Maypearl runner on first base.

Cole’s on first — Italy JV Gladiator, Cole Hopkins(21) tries to hold a Maypearl runner on first base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Pep talk — Italy’s catcher, Brandon Souder, encourages his freshman pitcher, Bailey Walton, and helps Walton get back on track.

Pep talk — Italy’s catcher, Brandon Souder, encourages his freshman pitcher, Bailey Walton, and helps Walton get back on track. (Barry Byers)

Image: Chase makes catch — JV shorstop Reid Jacinto(5) observes teammate, Chase Hamilton(10), make a catch in centerfield.

Chase makes catch — JV shorstop Reid Jacinto(5) observes teammate, Chase Hamilton(10), make a catch in centerfield. (Barry Byers)

Image: Out at the plate — Bailey Walton makes up for a wild pitch after catcher, Brandon Souder, hustles to the fence, tracks and then fires the ball back to Walton who then tags the runner trying to steal from third base.

Out at the plate — Bailey Walton makes up for a wild pitch after catcher, Brandon Souder, hustles to the fence, tracks and then fires the ball back to Walton who then tags the runner trying to steal from third base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Just before impact — Italy’s Reid Jacinto spots his pitch.

Just before impact — Italy’s Reid Jacinto spots his pitch. (Barry Byers)

Image: Pitcher and batter — Pitcher, Bailey Walton, is a threat with a bat in his hands as well.

Pitcher and batter — Pitcher, Bailey Walton, is a threat with a bat in his hands as well. (Barry Byers)

Image: Let’s play ball — Cole Hopkins(21) and Omar Estrada(7) are ready on defense.

Let’s play ball — Cole Hopkins(21) and Omar Estrada(7) are ready on defense. (Barry Byers)

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