Lady Gladiators win 3-of-5 and stand alone in 3rd place

Barry Byers Posted April 15, 2011 4:15pm Lady Gladiator Softball

Image: Italy’s Megan Richards(17) slides under the tag at second base — Megan Richards(17) slides in safe at second base during a home game against Axtell. Italy defeated the Lady Longhorns 10-3. — Italy’s Megan Richards(17) slides under the tag at second base — Megan Richards(17) slides in safe at second base during a home game against Axtell. Italy defeated the Lady Longhorns 10-3. (Barry Byers)

Boasting just one senior athlete on the roster in, Nikki Brashear, the Italy Lady Gladiators have managed to position themselves with a chance for the playoffs. Currently standing in 3rd place in their district, which will qualify them for playoffs if they can hold that spot, the Lady Gladiators have won three of their last five games.

Italy’s latest wins have have been 2-0 over Whitney, 15-0 over Rio Vista and 10-3 over Axtell. Alyssa Richards hit one over the fence against Rio Vista and the entire Lady Gladiator lineup heated up against Axtell as they branded the Lady Longhorns for one solid hit after another.

While head coach, Jennifer Reeves, has been constantly rearranging Italy’s lineup and batting rotation in an effort to find the perfect combination, pitcher, Megan Richards, has remained on the mound the entire season and continues to battle despite sore ribs. “I have to stay out there. This is my team and they need me,” stated Megan.

With momentum on their side, the Lady Gladiators ventured to Grandview for a rematch with the district leading, Lady Zebras, who defeated Italy 14-4 earlier in the season. The game was much tighter the second time around. Grandview was holding a small lead, 4-1, as the game moved into the later innings. Megan was on the mark but credit Grandview’s batters who connected just enough times to add a few more runs late to win, 6-1.

A few game highlights for Italy were turned in by: Brashear, who stretched all the way out at first base to haul in a throw from shortstop, Anna Viers, for an out, Bailey Bumpus who caught a pop fly near the left field foul line and coach Reeves who, once again, manages to work her magic to have a call reversed in Italy’s favor.

However, the loss to Grandview did not effect Italy in the standings. The Lady Gladiators still cling to 3rd Place, and if they get wins over both Maypearl and Whitney, Italy would make the playoffs.

The Lady Gladiators will play Maypearl today, Friday, April 15, starting at 6:30 p.m. in Italy. Needless to say, fans in the stands will be crucial as the Lady Gladiators will be in a must win situation against the Lady Panthers to keep their playoff hopes alive!

Go Lady Gladiators!

The real deal — Catcher Alyssa Richards reacts to a play in Clifton. (Barry Byers)

On the ball — Shortstop, Anna Viers, collects a ball during warmups between innings in Clifton. (Barry Byers)

Anna’s up — With a runner on first, Anna Viers(11) settles into the batters box against Whitney. (Barry Byers)

Bring the heat — Bailey Bumpus(18) is ready to take on Whitney’s pitcher at home. (Barry Byers)

That’s the one — Paige Westbrook picks out a pitch she likes against Whitney. (Barry Byers)

Ready to score — Megan Richards(17) gets ready to make a play at home plate against Whitney. (Barry Byers)

Nikki unleashes — Nikki Brashear prepares to swing at a fast ball against Whitney. (Barry Byers)

On the mark — Megan Richards(17) pitches one right down the middle. (Barry Byers)

Bone Crusher — Alyssa “Bone Crusher” Richards has been a consistent hitter for the Lady Gladiators again this season. (Barry Byers)

The hits continue — See what I mean? Alyssa Richards(9) hammers a liner into the gap. (Barry Byers)

Total effort — Megan Richards slides safely into second base despite her sore ribs. (Barry Byers)

Awesome season — Relying on her inner strength, Megan Richards has the Lady Gladiators in position to make the playoffs. (Barry Byers)

Run, Bailey, run! — Caught in a rundown against Axtell, Bailey Bumpus makes it back to second base…barely. (Barry Byers)

Making things happen — Anna Viers hits then sprints to first base against Axtell. (Barry Byers)

Determined to win — Third baseman, Katie Byers, has “the look” as she warms up on defense. On offense, Byers batted a thousand against the Lady Longhorns hitting all four times she held a bat in her hands. (Barry Byers)

Behind the plate — Alyssa Richards holds onto a strike from sister, Megan Richards. (Barry Byers)

Easy pickings — Left Fielder, Breyanna Beets, backs up teammate, Anna Viers, who catches the throw from catcher, Alyssa Richards, in time to make the tag at second against Axtell. (Barry Byers)

Bumpus at short — Bailey Bumpus(18) tries her glove hand at shortstop. (Barry Byers)

Had it all the way — Morgan Cockerham(8) holds her breath as, Anna Viers(11), makes the catch while avoiding a collision with, Bailey Bumpus(18), during the Grandview game. (Barry Byers)

Keep working — Right fielder, Alma Suaste(7), helps back up a throw to second base. (Barry Byers)

Hustle play — Centerfielder, Paige Westbrook(10), hustles over to left field to back up teammate, Morgan Cockerham, during their game against Grandview. (Barry Byers)

Hanging tough — Senior slugger, Nikki Brashear, gets a piece of a pitch in Grandview. (Barry Byers)

The time is now — Covered in face paint, Anna Viers gets ready to rumble against Axtell and will try to help lead the Lady Gladiators into the playoffs. (Barry Byers)