Italy — With senior pitcher, Justin Buchanan on the mound and senior, Ross Stiles under the catcher’s mask, the Italy Gladiators led 1-0 going into the top of the seventh-inning against the Axtell Longhorns in a district makeup game on Wednesday.

Since the game, which was originally scheduled to be a home game for Axtell, changed venues after rain storms soaked the Longhorn’s field forcing all Tuesday games to be cancelled between the two schools. Although the teams used Italy’s Loyd Davidson Field, Axtell was considered the home team.

Axtell left two runners stranded in the bottom of the sixth-inning as Italy’s defense fought vigorously to hold back the determined Longhorns. Gladiator head coach, Josh Ward was spirited and active throughout while his squad endured a few disappointing calls from the umpires in the later innings.

In the top of the seventh-inning, the Gladiators could get no further than second base when pinch runner, Brandon Souder, a senior, stole the base. In the bottom of the seventh, the Longhorns loaded the bases against Buchanan and eventually knocked in the game-tying run. Ward’s pitching ace pulled thru with a strike three call for the third out but not before the Longhorns managed to extend the game with the score knotted 1-1, after seven-innings.

In the top of the eighth, the Gladiators could get no further than second base when pinch runner, Brandon Souder, stole the base. During Axtell’s at bat, with one out in the bottom half of the inning, a Longhorn batter grounded out when Italy’s first baseman, Cole Hopkins, received a throw and then stepped on the first base bag. Hopkins then threw to Stiles, who blocked home plate for what seemed to be a double play for the third out. However, the batter was ruled safe at first and with a Longhorn runner positioned on third the inning continued with Italy needing an out keep the contest tied.

Still in the eighth Buchanan shows signs of wear so Coach Ward asks the plate umpire to intentionally walk the next Axtell batter instead of having his tiring pitcher waist any pitches to accomplish the same. Buchanan, still steaming over the failed double play call by the umpires, wastes no time in striking out the batter for the third out.

In the top of the ninth, Italy returns to the dugout and exchanges mitts for batting gloves. Caden Jacinto, a Gladiator junior, pops one up but confusion within Axtell’s infielders allows the ball to drop down behind the mound for a single. Jase Holden, a Gladiator senior, is good for a single, as well but Jacinto, is forced out at second base. Axtell’s pitcher finishes the top half inning strong and Italy is unable to alter the 1-1 score.

With Axtell having the home field advantage in the bottom of the ninth-inning, the Longhorns get a runner on base and then follow up with a double resulting liner to left field scoring the winning run. Axtell, celebrates their come-from-behind win by mobbing their hero out on the field while the Gladiators retain their composure and congratulates Axtell after the thrill subsides

Italy’s record drops to 3-4 in district and they will play a non-conference game at home on Friday against the Jaguars at 6:30 p.m.

Bring on the Jags!