Italy’s select baseball team digs in for final tournament of summer

Image: Bailey Walton pitches to teammate Kevin Roldan in the batters cage before a doubleheader between Italy and Alvarado’s freshman and varsity squads.

Bailey Walton pitches to teammate Kevin Roldan in the batters cage before a doubleheader between Italy and Alvarado’s freshman and varsity squads. (Barry Byers)

Image: Brandon Souder gets his game face, and beard, on.

Brandon Souder gets his game face, and beard, on. (Barry Byers)

Image: Brett Pickard represents Maypearl while playing for Italy’s select team.

Brett Pickard represents Maypearl while playing for Italy’s select team. (Barry Byers)

Image: Justin Wood warms up in the summertime.

Justin Wood warms up in the summertime. (Barry Byers)

Image: Reece Marshall represents Avalon while playing for Italy’s select team. Marshall’s glove played a big role in defeating Alvarado’s Varsity squad on Monday.

Reece Marshall represents Avalon while playing for Italy’s select team. Marshall’s glove played a big role in defeating Alvarado’s Varsity squad on Monday. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bailey Walton relaxes with a bottle of Gatorade while teammate Zain Byers ices down his throwing arm before the first game of a doubleheader.

Bailey Walton relaxes with a bottle of Gatorade while teammate Zain Byers ices down his throwing arm before the first game of a doubleheader. (Barry Byers)

Image: Coaches Mark Jacinto and brother, Vincent Jacinto, talk with the team before the first pitch.

Coaches Mark Jacinto and brother, Vincent Jacinto, talk with the team before the first pitch. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s, Reid Jacinto(8), sends an early message to Alvarado’s freshman squad.

Italy’s, Reid Jacinto(8), sends an early message to Alvarado’s freshman squad. (Barry Byers)

Image: Brandon Souder(17), shows bunt to Alvarado’s infield.

Brandon Souder(17), shows bunt to Alvarado’s infield. (Barry Byers)

Image: Reece Marshall(3) settles in at the plate.

Reece Marshall(3) settles in at the plate. (Barry Byers)

Image: Caden Jacinto(5) demonstrates the his ability to cover second base on the throw-down.

Caden Jacinto(5) demonstrates the his ability to cover second base on the throw-down. (Barry Byers)

Image: Brandon Souder gets the job done behind the plate while Team Italy’s biggest fan looks on. 

Brandon Souder gets the job done behind the plate while Team Italy’s biggest fan looks on.  (Barry Byers)

Image: Brett Pickard(7) steals second base against Alvarado.

Brett Pickard(7) steals second base against Alvarado. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Byers smacks one into the outfield.

John Byers smacks one into the outfield. (Barry Byers)

Image: Justin Wood blasts a shot thru Alvarado’s defense.

Justin Wood blasts a shot thru Alvarado’s defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Brandon Souder(17) tries to keep an Alvarado runner from reaching home by throwing the loose ball back to pitcher, Brett Pickard(7).

Brandon Souder(17) tries to keep an Alvarado runner from reaching home by throwing the loose ball back to pitcher, Brett Pickard(7). (Barry Byers)

Image: With his back pockets acting as a cape and a shadow mask covering his eyes, John Byers(20) adds his superhero-like skills to Team Italy.

With his back pockets acting as a cape and a shadow mask covering his eyes, John Byers(20) adds his superhero-like skills to Team Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: John “Super Slugger” Byers, to the rescue!

John “Super Slugger” Byers, to the rescue! (Barry Byers)

Image: Zain Byers tries to time his swing with the pitcher while warming up on the side.

Zain Byers tries to time his swing with the pitcher while warming up on the side. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Byers(20) looks for an opportunity to steal home.

John Byers(20) looks for an opportunity to steal home. (Barry Byers)

Image: Zain Byers(12) slides in to steal home while teammate Bailey Walton takes second base.

Zain Byers(12) slides in to steal home while teammate Bailey Walton takes second base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Caden Jacinto, takes the mound for Italy.

Caden Jacinto, takes the mound for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Catcher Brandon Souder(17) took the mound in the second game of the doubleheader to help Italy win 7-6 over Alvarado’s varsity squad.

Catcher Brandon Souder(17) took the mound in the second game of the doubleheader to help Italy win 7-6 over Alvarado’s varsity squad. (Barry Byers)

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