Need more cowbell! Lady Gladiators sweep Mildred for area championship

Image: Lady Gladiator, Jaclynn Lewis(15), hustles to third base and then heads home as requested by Italy’s head coach, Jennifer Reeves, during the second game of the area championship game against Mildred.

Lady Gladiator, Jaclynn Lewis(15), hustles to third base and then heads home as requested by Italy’s head coach, Jennifer Reeves, during the second game of the area championship game against Mildred. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jaclynn Lewis(15), collides with Mildred’s catcher and then reaches for home plate to pull Italy within 1-run of the Lady Eagles, 2-1. Lewis was followed in by teammate, Alyssa Richards, who tied the game 2-2 after her sister, Megan Richards, hit the 2RBI triple.

Jaclynn Lewis(15), collides with Mildred’s catcher and then reaches for home plate to pull Italy within 1-run of the Lady Eagles, 2-1. Lewis was followed in by teammate, Alyssa Richards, who tied the game 2-2 after her sister, Megan Richards, hit the 2RBI triple. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lady Gladiator center fielder, Madison Washington(2), keeps the game all tied up, 2-2.

Lady Gladiator center fielder, Madison Washington(2), keeps the game all tied up, 2-2. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tara Wallis(8) slap hits the ball into play against Mildred.

Tara Wallis(8) slap hits the ball into play against Mildred. (Barry Byers)

Image: Freshman, Jaclynn Lewis(15), helps Italy come from behind an build a lead over Mildred.

Freshman, Jaclynn Lewis(15), helps Italy come from behind an build a lead over Mildred. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s, Madison Washington(2), blasts a double into right field.

Italy’s, Madison Washington(2), blasts a double into right field. (Barry Byers)

Image: Coach Reeves sends Jaclynn Lewis(15) home for another Italy run.

Coach Reeves sends Jaclynn Lewis(15) home for another Italy run. (Barry Byers)

Image: Coach Reeves directs, Alyssa Richards(9,) to keep running towards home plate.

Coach Reeves directs, Alyssa Richards(9,) to keep running towards home plate. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bailey Bumpus(18) helps deliver the knockout shots to Mildred.

Bailey Bumpus(18) helps deliver the knockout shots to Mildred. (Barry Byers)

Image: With bases loaded, Katie Byers(13), darts a grounder past the mound and into centerfield for 2RBI single.

With bases loaded, Katie Byers(13), darts a grounder past the mound and into centerfield for 2RBI single. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bailey Eubank(11) slaps the ball into play and sprints to first.

Bailey Eubank(11) slaps the ball into play and sprints to first. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bailey Bumpus during a warmup throw down to second.

Bailey Bumpus during a warmup throw down to second. (Barry Byers)

Image: Madison Washington(2) turns second and hopes for third.

Madison Washington(2) turns second and hopes for third. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jaclynn Lewis(15) steals second base against Mildred.

Jaclynn Lewis(15) steals second base against Mildred. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jaclynn Lewis(15) beats the throw home and crosses home plate for another Italy run.

Jaclynn Lewis(15) beats the throw home and crosses home plate for another Italy run. (Barry Byers)

Image: Katie Byers(13) uses the force to haul in a popup at third base as Bailey Bumpus(18) backs her up.

Katie Byers(13) uses the force to haul in a popup at third base as Bailey Bumpus(18) backs her up. (Barry Byers)

Image: Injured pitcher, Megan Richards(17), takes the mound to give starting pitcher, Jaclynn Lewis, time to refresh.

Injured pitcher, Megan Richards(17), takes the mound to give starting pitcher, Jaclynn Lewis, time to refresh. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior right fielder, Alma Suaste(7), makes a key catch to get the Lady Gladiators out of a rough inning.

Senior right fielder, Alma Suaste(7), makes a key catch to get the Lady Gladiators out of a rough inning. (Barry Byers)

Image: Katie Byers(13) dives back to the first base back with Mildred respecting her speed.

Katie Byers(13) dives back to the first base back with Mildred respecting her speed. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bailey Eubank(11) delivers another solid performance for head coach, Jennifer Reeves, at second base.

Bailey Eubank(11) delivers another solid performance for head coach, Jennifer Reeves, at second base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Pitcher, Jaclynn Lewis(15), throws out a Mildred runner late in the contest to first baseman, Megan RIchards(17) as the Lady Gladiator faithful look on.

Pitcher, Jaclynn Lewis(15), throws out a Mildred runner late in the contest to first baseman, Megan RIchards(17) as the Lady Gladiator faithful look on. (Barry Byers)

Image: Alyssa Richards(9) keeps Mildred’s runners honest to help secure the Italy win for the area championship.

Alyssa Richards(9) keeps Mildred’s runners honest to help secure the Italy win for the area championship. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s, Katie Byers(13) fields a grounder and throws to Megan Richards(17), at first base to end game 2 and complete the sweep of Mildred for the AA Area Championship before celebrating with her teammates.

Italy’s, Katie Byers(13) fields a grounder and throws to Megan Richards(17), at first base to end game 2 and complete the sweep of Mildred for the AA Area Championship before celebrating with her teammates. (Barry Byers)

Return to story