Italy’s JV Gladiator baseball team is off to a 1-2 start

Image: Italy’s leadoff hitter Marvin Cox(1) walks after his first at bat of the season in Palmer. Cox would eventually score to account for the only run of the game. 

Italy’s leadoff hitter Marvin Cox(1) walks after his first at bat of the season in Palmer. Cox would eventually score to account for the only run of the game.  (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Kyle Fortenberry blasts a fly ball into left field.

Italy’s Kyle Fortenberry blasts a fly ball into left field. (Barry Byers)

Image: Zain Byers(10) settles into the batter’s box for Italy’s JV Gladiators.

Zain Byers(10) settles into the batter’s box for Italy’s JV Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy shortstop Chace McGinnis(2) is ready for action.

Italy shortstop Chace McGinnis(2) is ready for action. (Barry Byers)

Image: Marvin Cox(1) means business on the mound for Italy.

Marvin Cox(1) means business on the mound for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Gladiator catcher John Escamilla manages to grasp a low pitch.

JV Gladiator catcher John Escamilla manages to grasp a low pitch. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Gladiator head coach Josh Ward checks on his pitcher, Marvin Cox(1), as do catcher John Escamilla(3), third baseman John Byers(12) and first baseman Kevin Roldan(16).

JV Gladiator head coach Josh Ward checks on his pitcher, Marvin Cox(1), as do catcher John Escamilla(3), third baseman John Byers(12) and first baseman Kevin Roldan(16). (Barry Byers)

Image: With his batting gloves acting as dust flaps, Italy’s Cody Boyd(9) steals second base.

With his batting gloves acting as dust flaps, Italy’s Cody Boyd(9) steals second base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s John Escamilla(3) takes his turn at the plate.

Italy’s John Escamilla(3) takes his turn at the plate. (Barry Byers)

Image: Chace McGinnis(2) takes off after getting a hit for Italy.

Chace McGinnis(2) takes off after getting a hit for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s team manager Gary Escamilla enjoys a cheek full of sunflower seeds.

Italy’s team manager Gary Escamilla enjoys a cheek full of sunflower seeds. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Gladiator John Byers(12) connects sending the Bulldog defense into panic mode. 

JV Gladiator John Byers(12) connects sending the Bulldog defense into panic mode.  (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Omar Estrada(7) takes a nice leadoff at first base.

Italy’s Omar Estrada(7) takes a nice leadoff at first base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Tyler Anderson(11) rounds first base after singling into the outfield.

Italy’s Tyler Anderson(11) rounds first base after singling into the outfield. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy shortstop Chace McGinnis(2) gets under a pop-up.

Italy shortstop Chace McGinnis(2) gets under a pop-up. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s John Escamilla(3) is ready to gun down Bulldog base runners.

Italy’s John Escamilla(3) is ready to gun down Bulldog base runners. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Byers(12) controls a throw from Escamilla behind the plate as the duo try repeatedly to collar a Bulldog at third base.

John Byers(12) controls a throw from Escamilla behind the plate as the duo try repeatedly to collar a Bulldog at third base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Tyler Anderson(11) takes the mound in the late innings against Palmer.

Italy’s Tyler Anderson(11) takes the mound in the late innings against Palmer. (Barry Byers)

Image: Play at the plate! Italy pitcher Tyler Anderson(11) awaits the call from the umpire after catcher John Escamilla(3) blocks the plate…“Out!”

Play at the plate! Italy pitcher Tyler Anderson(11) awaits the call from the umpire after catcher John Escamilla(3) blocks the plate…“Out!” (Barry Byers)

Image: Tyler Anderson(11) continues to fire from the mound for Italy.

Tyler Anderson(11) continues to fire from the mound for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Third baseman John Byers(12) scrambles after a foul ball.

Third baseman John Byers(12) scrambles after a foul ball. (Barry Byers)

Image: Coach Ward and coach Randy Parks talk with the club after the Palmer game.

Coach Ward and coach Randy Parks talk with the club after the Palmer game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kevin “Big Agua” Roldan(16) hustles in from first base to make a play.

Kevin “Big Agua” Roldan(16) hustles in from first base to make a play. (Barry Byers)

Image: Marvin Cox(1) retakes the mound at home against Maypearl with teammate John Escamilla(3) behind the plate.

Marvin Cox(1) retakes the mound at home against Maypearl with teammate John Escamilla(3) behind the plate. (Barry Byers)

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