Lady Gladiators rally late to win game 1 of the Area Championship over Mildred

Image: In game 1 of the area championship, Mildred walks Lady Gladiator, Alyssa Richards(9), early in a show of respect for the homerun hitter.

In game 1 of the area championship, Mildred walks Lady Gladiator, Alyssa Richards(9), early in a show of respect for the homerun hitter. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Madison Washington(2) awaits a pitch from Mildred.

Italy’s Madison Washington(2) awaits a pitch from Mildred. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Lady Gladiator infielders meet at the mound to start the game.

The Lady Gladiator infielders meet at the mound to start the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Catcher, Alyssa Richards, the intimidating one, checks on her pitcher which is also her sister, Megan Richards(17).

Catcher, Alyssa Richards, the intimidating one, checks on her pitcher which is also her sister, Megan Richards(17). (Barry Byers)

Image: Lady Gladiator second baseman, Bailey Eubank(11), makes the tag against a Mildred runner while covering first base.

Lady Gladiator second baseman, Bailey Eubank(11), makes the tag against a Mildred runner while covering first base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Katie Byers(13) gets ready for her turn at bat.

Katie Byers(13) gets ready for her turn at bat. (Barry Byers)

Image: Megan Richards(17) kept jabbing away at the Lady Eagles until she cracked their shell of confidence.

Megan Richards(17) kept jabbing away at the Lady Eagles until she cracked their shell of confidence. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lady Gladiator, Jaclynn Lewis(15). connects early in game 1.

Lady Gladiator, Jaclynn Lewis(15). connects early in game 1. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bailey Bumpus(18), Madison Washington(2), Jaclynn Lewis(15), Bailey DeBorde(1), Kelsey Nelson(14) and Katie Byers(13) look ready to answer Mildred’s challenge.

Bailey Bumpus(18), Madison Washington(2), Jaclynn Lewis(15), Bailey DeBorde(1), Kelsey Nelson(14) and Katie Byers(13) look ready to answer Mildred’s challenge. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s, Bailey Bumpus(18) makes a play from her shortstop position.

Italy’s, Bailey Bumpus(18) makes a play from her shortstop position. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Lady Gladiator pitcher, Megan Richards(17) steps into her fast-pitch.

Senior Lady Gladiator pitcher, Megan Richards(17) steps into her fast-pitch. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bailey Bumpus, also a senior Lady Gladiator, tries to make a tag for an out at second base.

Bailey Bumpus, also a senior Lady Gladiator, tries to make a tag for an out at second base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Megan Richards(17) and Jaclynn Lewis(15) converge on a bunt with Richards making the throw to first for the out.

Megan Richards(17) and Jaclynn Lewis(15) converge on a bunt with Richards making the throw to first for the out. (Barry Byers)

Image: Mildred slides in for the first tun of the game before Alyssa RIchards(9) can make the tag.

Mildred slides in for the first tun of the game before Alyssa RIchards(9) can make the tag. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lady Gladiator fans,Ty Windam and Chace McGinnis lead the cheers in Mildred.

Lady Gladiator fans,Ty Windam and Chace McGinnis lead the cheers in Mildred. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jaclynn Lewis(15) makes the grab for another Italy out at first base.

Jaclynn Lewis(15) makes the grab for another Italy out at first base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lady Gladiator freshman, Tara Wallis(8) is ready for her turn at the plate.

Lady Gladiator freshman, Tara Wallis(8) is ready for her turn at the plate. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lady Gladiator second baseman, Bailey Eubank(11) softly tosses a ball to teammate, Jaclynn Lewis(15), for an out.

Lady Gladiator second baseman, Bailey Eubank(11) softly tosses a ball to teammate, Jaclynn Lewis(15), for an out. (Barry Byers)

Image: Stretching out for the catch is Jaclynn Lewis(15) for another Italy out.

Stretching out for the catch is Jaclynn Lewis(15) for another Italy out. (Barry Byers)

Image: The “Bone Crusher,” Alyssa Richards(9), takes a moment to rest in Italy’s dugout. 

The “Bone Crusher,” Alyssa Richards(9), takes a moment to rest in Italy’s dugout.  (Barry Byers)

Image: Lady Gladiator fans celebrate their team’s 3-1 comeback win in game 1 of the area championship.

Lady Gladiator fans celebrate their team’s 3-1 comeback win in game 1 of the area championship. (Barry Byers)

Image: Megan Richards(17) kept Italy in it and then the Lady Gladiators rallied in the seventh-inning to win it!

Megan Richards(17) kept Italy in it and then the Lady Gladiators rallied in the seventh-inning to win it! (Barry Byers)

Image: Strike 3! Megan Richards(17) and her sister Alyssa Richards(9) combine for another strikeout.

Strike 3! Megan Richards(17) and her sister Alyssa Richards(9) combine for another strikeout. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lady Gladiator head coach, Jennifer Reeves, is joined by her mother, MaryLou Reeves, after Italy’s game 1 win over Mildred, 3-1.

Lady Gladiator head coach, Jennifer Reeves, is joined by her mother, MaryLou Reeves, after Italy’s game 1 win over Mildred, 3-1. (Barry Byers)

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