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

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)

Image: The real deal — Catcher Alyssa Richards reacts to a play in Clifton.

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

Image: On the ball — Shortstop, Anna Viers, collects a ball during warmups between innings in Clifton.

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

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

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

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

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

Image: That’s the one — Paige Westbrook picks out a pitch she likes against Whitney.

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

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

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

Image: Nikki unleashes — Nikki Brashear prepares to swing at a fast ball against Whitney.

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

Image: On the mark — Megan Richards(17) pitches one right down the middle.

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

Image: Bone Crusher — Alyssa “Bone Crusher” Richards has been a consistent hitter for the Lady Gladiators again this season.

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

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

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

Image: Total effort — Megan Richards slides safely into second base despite her sore ribs.

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

Image: Awesome season — Relying on her inner strength, Megan Richards has the Lady Gladiators in position to make the playoffs.

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

Image: Run, Bailey, run! — Caught in a rundown against Axtell, Bailey Bumpus makes it back to second base…barely.

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

Image: Making things happen — Anna Viers hits then sprints to first base against Axtell.

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

Image: 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.

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)

Image: Behind the plate — Alyssa Richards holds onto a strike from sister, Megan Richards.

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

Image: 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.

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)

Image: Bumpus at short — Bailey Bumpus(18) tries her glove hand at shortstop.

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

Image: 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.

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)

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

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

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

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

Image: Hanging tough — Senior slugger, Nikki Brashear, gets a piece of a pitch in Grandview.

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

Image: 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.

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)

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