Lady Gladiators dig deep to gain bi-district title
2012 Bi-District champions (DeeDee Hamilton)
If you didn’t make the trip to Waco last night to see the Lady Gladiators battle it out with the Troy Trojanettes you missed a great “display.” It was a display of heart and determination by the Lady Gladiators, a display of calm and calculation by the coaches, and lastly display of love and support by the fans! It was a GREAT day to be a Lady Gladiator and a GREAT day to be a Lady Gladiator Fan!!
| Game | Runs | Innings | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | |
| Italy | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
| Troy | 8 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| #2 | ||||||||
| Troy | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Italy | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| #3 | ||||||||
| Troy | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Italy | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
In the second, and deciding game, the first three innings were scoreless. The top of the fourth inning found the Lady Gladiators behind by three (0-3 Troy). Then, in the bottom of the sixth inning, with the score Italy 1-Troy 4, the Lady Gladiators dug in and scored five runs!
To get this rally started, senior shortstop, Shadow Bailey Bumpus came to the plate, exhibiting the nth degree of leadership and determination, and blasted a double. Alma Suaste, also a senior and the Lady Gladiators’ right fielder, continued the senior leadership exhibition by getting a walk. (Two on base, no outs! It was getting crazy!)
Junior third baseman, Katie Byers made one of her best, albiet most important, hits of the year with a hard hit, shin high screamer right up the middle which scores Bumpus (Score now, Italy 2, Troy 4).
Freshman left fielder, Tara Wallis also got on with a walk. (Bases Loaded!! No outs!!) Next up is, freshman second baseman, Bailey Eubank who battles at the plate and gets on with a fielders choice, with the defense opting to get Suaste out at home with a force. (Bases still loaded and look who’s up to bat!!)
Senior, Megan Richards is up to bat! Megan attacks the first pitch for a double scoring both Byers and Wallis. The game is tied!! (Yahooooo!)
Next up is freshman, Jaclynn Lewis who stays disciplined at the plate and waits for a pitch she can do something with. Lewis hits a shot to right field behind the first baseman and scores two!!! Horns sounding, bells ringing, fans screaming — Lady Gladiators are up by two!!! (Italy 6-Troy-4)
With Alyssa Richards the next batter up, the Troy defense decides to intentionally walk her. Troy opted to walk Alyssa several times during the night, showing a backhanded respect for the extremely talented junior catcher. You have to give Troy that one, especially since Alyssa ripped one over the 210’ mark during their first matchup this past Friday night in Glen Rose.
Three more batters and the inning comes to an end and all the Ladies need to do is hold Troy in the top of the 7th — and hold them they did!!! With one runner on Katie Byers snags a line drive and zips it back to first base, catching the runner off the bag, for a double play. Next batter hits a line drive to shortstop where Bumpus, grinning from ear to ear, makes the skilled catch.
There were many great hits, crucial outs and skilled defensive plays by the Lady Gladiators during this two game battle last night but just as important was the fans!!! Way to go Gladiator Legion!!
A battle for the Area title will be next for the Lady Gladiators. It will be a three game series against Mildred.
| Game 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | May 4, 2012 | @ Mildred | 7:00pm |
| Game 2 | |||
| Saturday | May 5, 2012 | in Italy | noon |
| Game 3 | |||
| If needed, will be played 30 minutes after game two. | |||
| Admission | |||
| $5 Adults | $3 Kids | ||
| Passes | |||
| THSCA, TGCA, District & Senior Citizens | |||
Congratulations to the 2012 Bi-District Champion Lady Gladiators!
(Happy Birthday Coach Reeves!!)