The JV Gladiator baseball crew opens district with a win over Axtell

Image: Chace McGinnis(2) helps his JV teammates get into the swing of things as Italy opens district play with a win over Axtell.

Chace McGinnis(2) helps his JV teammates get into the swing of things as Italy opens district play with a win over Axtell. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s John Escamilla lays off an outside pitch.

Italy’s John Escamilla lays off an outside pitch. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kyle Fortenberry(14) continues to produce at the plate for Italy’s JV.

Kyle Fortenberry(14) continues to produce at the plate for Italy’s JV. (Barry Byers)

Image: Just another game at the office for power hitter John Byers(12) who enjoys whistling while he works.

Just another game at the office for power hitter John Byers(12) who enjoys whistling while he works. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Byers takes a huge lead from second base as Italy displays a lack of concern that the Longhorn defense can stop them.

John Byers takes a huge lead from second base as Italy displays a lack of concern that the Longhorn defense can stop them. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kevin “Big Agua” Roldan(16) quenches Italy’s thirst for runs.

Kevin “Big Agua” Roldan(16) quenches Italy’s thirst for runs. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tyler Anderson(11) gets nicked by pitch inside and takes his base.

Tyler Anderson(11) gets nicked by pitch inside and takes his base. (Barry Byers)

Image: John “Curly” Byers(12) nonchalantly crosses home plate.

John “Curly” Byers(12) nonchalantly crosses home plate. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kyle Fortenberry(14) crosses home plate for Italy.

Kyle Fortenberry(14) crosses home plate for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Escamilla controls an outside corner pitch from Tyler Anderson for a strike.

John Escamilla controls an outside corner pitch from Tyler Anderson for a strike. (Barry Byers)

Image: Pitcher Tyler Anderson turns a dink back to the mound into an out to first baseman Kevin Roldan.

Pitcher Tyler Anderson turns a dink back to the mound into an out to first baseman Kevin Roldan. (Barry Byers)

Image: Zain Byers(5) avoids an inside pitch and receives some friendly razzing from his dugout.

Zain Byers(5) avoids an inside pitch and receives some friendly razzing from his dugout. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kevin Roldan(16) puts another run on the board for Italy.

Kevin Roldan(16) puts another run on the board for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tyler Anderson(11) plays out the entire game from the mound for Italy.

Tyler Anderson(11) plays out the entire game from the mound for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Marvin Cox(1) launches a crowd amazer over the left field fence for a 350 foot out-of-the-park homerun!

Marvin Cox(1) launches a crowd amazer over the left field fence for a 350 foot out-of-the-park homerun! (Barry Byers)

Image: Marvin Cox celebrates at home with his teammates after his monster shot over the left field fence.

Marvin Cox celebrates at home with his teammates after his monster shot over the left field fence. (Barry Byers)

Image: Catcher John Escamilla takes away a sure homerun from Axtell at the last possible instant.

Catcher John Escamilla takes away a sure homerun from Axtell at the last possible instant. (Barry Byers)

Image: A stealing Omar Estrada(7) beats the throw to third base.

A stealing Omar Estrada(7) beats the throw to third base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Still slugging away is Kyle Fortenberry(14) as Italy refuses to let up.

Still slugging away is Kyle Fortenberry(14) as Italy refuses to let up. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tyler Anderson(11) stares down Axtell’s pitcher.

Tyler Anderson(11) stares down Axtell’s pitcher. (Barry Byers)

Image: Safe! Cody Boyd(9) slides under the tag at third base.

Safe! Cody Boyd(9) slides under the tag at third base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Head coach Josh Ward brings his team together before making their final push to close out the win.

Head coach Josh Ward brings his team together before making their final push to close out the win. (Barry Byers)

Image: John “Squirt” Hughes(17) gives Axtell’s pitcher a workout during Italy’s last at bat.

John “Squirt” Hughes(17) gives Axtell’s pitcher a workout during Italy’s last at bat. (Barry Byers)

Image: Chace McGinnis(2) confidently fires a throw to Hank Seabolt(18) for an out at first base.

Chace McGinnis(2) confidently fires a throw to Hank Seabolt(18) for an out at first base. (Barry Byers)

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