Italy improves district record to 1-1 by sending the Wampus Cats home early

Image: Kevin Roldan(16) rocks a nearby neighborhood with a towering foul ball but eventually straitened things out for a double against Itasca during Italy’s 17-7 win over the Wampus Cats Tuesday in Italy.

Kevin Roldan(16) rocks a nearby neighborhood with a towering foul ball but eventually straitened things out for a double against Itasca during Italy’s 17-7 win over the Wampus Cats Tuesday in Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kevin Roldan(16) working the bases against Itasca.

Kevin Roldan(16) working the bases against Itasca. (Barry Byers)

Image: Reid Jacinto(5) slides home but not before Itasca got the force out at the plate. No worries, Italy would ring up 7 straight runs to go up 7-2 before Itasca could collect a third out.

Reid Jacinto(5) slides home but not before Itasca got the force out at the plate. No worries, Italy would ring up 7 straight runs to go up 7-2 before Itasca could collect a third out. (Barry Byers)

Image: Justin Wood(4) is up to bat for Italy.

Justin Wood(4) is up to bat for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s John Byers(18) avoids an inside pitch.

Italy’s John Byers(18) avoids an inside pitch. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Chase Hamilton(10) tries to get the ball rolling with a bunt.

Italy’s Chase Hamilton(10) tries to get the ball rolling with a bunt. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Gladiator Cole Hopkins(9) makes his way home.

Senior Gladiator Cole Hopkins(9) makes his way home. (Barry Byers)

Image: In runs Justin Wood(4) from third-base with teammate Levi McBride(1) battling at the plate.

In runs Justin Wood(4) from third-base with teammate Levi McBride(1) battling at the plate. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s John Byers(18) slides across home for good measure.

Italy’s John Byers(18) slides across home for good measure. (Barry Byers)

Image: Reid Jacinto(5) looks on as his cousin, Caden Jacinto(2), steals second base for Italy.

Reid Jacinto(5) looks on as his cousin, Caden Jacinto(2), steals second base for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Marvin Cox(3) starts strong on the mound for Italy.

Marvin Cox(3) starts strong on the mound for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Marvin Cox(3) keeps Itasca’s hitters guessing.

Marvin Cox(3) keeps Itasca’s hitters guessing. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Marvin Cox(3) holds nothing back against Itasca to get the win.

Italy’s Marvin Cox(3) holds nothing back against Itasca to get the win. (Barry Byers)

Image: Are your ears burning, Justin? Itasca convenes before dealing with Justin Wood(4).

Are your ears burning, Justin? Itasca convenes before dealing with Justin Wood(4). (Barry Byers)

Image: Itasca keeps Kevin Roldan(16), the speedster, glued to third-base.

Itasca keeps Kevin Roldan(16), the speedster, glued to third-base. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Byers(18) stoically awaits Itasca’s pitch.

John Byers(18) stoically awaits Itasca’s pitch. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator John Byers(18) reaches first-base in time to beat the throw for single.

Gladiator John Byers(18) reaches first-base in time to beat the throw for single. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Byers(18) gets a big lead from second-base against Itasca.

John Byers(18) gets a big lead from second-base against Itasca. (Barry Byers)

Image: Levi McBride(1) is ready for Itasca’s pitcher.

Levi McBride(1) is ready for Itasca’s pitcher. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Center fielder Chase Hamilton(10) and second baseman Reid Jacinto(5) backup shortstop Caden Jacinto(2) as he attempts to catch a pop-up.

Italy’s Center fielder Chase Hamilton(10) and second baseman Reid Jacinto(5) backup shortstop Caden Jacinto(2) as he attempts to catch a pop-up. (Barry Byers)

Image: Marvin Cox(3) and Justin Wood(4) back off as first baseman Cole Hopkins rushes in to catch a pop fly.

Marvin Cox(3) and Justin Wood(4) back off as first baseman Cole Hopkins rushes in to catch a pop fly. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator catcher Justin Wood(4) hauls in a strike-three pitch to the delight of Jessica Ward who is keeping the game book for Italy.

Gladiator catcher Justin Wood(4) hauls in a strike-three pitch to the delight of Jessica Ward who is keeping the game book for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Vincent Jacinto, Lee Hamilton and Mark Jacinto check out the game while solving secrets in the universe.

Vincent Jacinto, Lee Hamilton and Mark Jacinto check out the game while solving secrets in the universe. (Barry Byers)

Image: 2 good: senior Gladiator Caden Jacinto(2) warms up in the bullpen….or rather next to the wooden fence behind the Italy home dugout.

2 good: senior Gladiator Caden Jacinto(2) warms up in the bullpen….or rather next to the wooden fence behind the Italy home dugout. (Barry Byers)

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