Italy’s select baseball team ends summer league much improved

Image: Oops! Just when you thought it was safe to steal home, Italy’s Brandon Souder covers the plate while trying to leap over what he thought would be a sliding Maybank runner.

Oops! Just when you thought it was safe to steal home, Italy’s Brandon Souder covers the plate while trying to leap over what he thought would be a sliding Maybank runner. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ross Stiles, squeezes a strike from pitcher Brandon Souder.

Ross Stiles, squeezes a strike from pitcher Brandon Souder. (Barry Byers)

Image: Brett Pickard tries to bunt his way on base for Italy.

Brett Pickard tries to bunt his way on base for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s select baseball team is treated to lunch by coach Mark Stiles at the Gladiators’ home away from home, the Uptown Cafe, in downtown Italy.

Italy’s select baseball team is treated to lunch by coach Mark Stiles at the Gladiators’ home away from home, the Uptown Cafe, in downtown Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Reece Marshall(3) steals second base against Belton.

Italy’s Reece Marshall(3) steals second base against Belton. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Ross Stiles(1) throws from third to first.

Italy’s Ross Stiles(1) throws from third to first. (Barry Byers)

Image: Zain Byers(12) shoots one toward the mound.

Zain Byers(12) shoots one toward the mound. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kyle Jackson(2) pitched solid games for Italy on Friday and Saturday.

Kyle Jackson(2) pitched solid games for Italy on Friday and Saturday. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Kevin “Billy Bob” Roldan(21) eyes Belton’s pitcher.

Italy’s Kevin “Billy Bob” Roldan(21) eyes Belton’s pitcher. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s John Byers(20) tries to stay cool before taking the field against Valley Mills in Hillsboro during tournament play.

Italy’s John Byers(20) tries to stay cool before taking the field against Valley Mills in Hillsboro during tournament play. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s coaches Mark Jacinto and Mark Stiles decide on a lineup before the game against Valley Mills.

Italy’s coaches Mark Jacinto and Mark Stiles decide on a lineup before the game against Valley Mills. (Barry Byers)

Image: Reece Marshall(3) sparks a rally to help Italy tie Valley Mills 3-3 midway thru the game.

Reece Marshall(3) sparks a rally to help Italy tie Valley Mills 3-3 midway thru the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s John Byers(20) drives one down the beak of the Eagle’s defense.

Italy’s John Byers(20) drives one down the beak of the Eagle’s defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kyle Jackson checks with the coaches before taking his at bat.

Kyle Jackson checks with the coaches before taking his at bat. (Barry Byers)

Image: Justin Wood(4) swings one past the Eagles.

Justin Wood(4) swings one past the Eagles. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kyle Jackson(2) pitches a strike while catcher, Brandon Souder has the best seat on the diamond.

Kyle Jackson(2) pitches a strike while catcher, Brandon Souder has the best seat on the diamond. (Barry Byers)

Image: Catcher Brandon Souder(17) and third baseman Reece Marshall(3) look on as pitcher Kyle Jackson(2) catches a pop-up for out number three.

Catcher Brandon Souder(17) and third baseman Reece Marshall(3) look on as pitcher Kyle Jackson(2) catches a pop-up for out number three. (Barry Byers)

Image: When Brandon Souder(17) talks the team listens. Maybe Souder will grow up to be a stock brocker?

When Brandon Souder(17) talks the team listens. Maybe Souder will grow up to be a stock brocker? (Barry Byers)

Image: Still pitching, Kyle Jackson was relentless on the mound for Italy.

Still pitching, Kyle Jackson was relentless on the mound for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ross Stiles(1) weighs his options on third base as he considers stealing home.

Ross Stiles(1) weighs his options on third base as he considers stealing home. (Barry Byers)

Image: Catcher Brandon Souder(17) and first baseman Kevin Roldan(21) converge on the ball for Italy.

Catcher Brandon Souder(17) and first baseman Kevin Roldan(21) converge on the ball for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Reece Marshall makes a diving attempt at a line drive hit down the third base line.

Reece Marshall makes a diving attempt at a line drive hit down the third base line. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Kyle Jackson gave a Gladiator’s effort on the mound.

Italy’s Kyle Jackson gave a Gladiator’s effort on the mound. (Barry Byers)

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