Itasca was ready to play but the Lady Gladiators find a way; Italy wins 6-5
Lady Gladiator Hannah Washington attempts to score Ashlyn Jacinto from third base in what proved to be a classic matchup between Italy and Itasca on Tuesday. (Barry Byers)
Italy — Itasca sends the third pitch of the game over the fence to take an early 1-0 lead while sending a loud-and-clear message to the Italy that the Lady Wampus Cats came to play. Italy would later tie the game 1-1 but Itasca struck again in the 4th with a 2-run out-of-the-park homerun to go up 3-1. Itasca added one more run in the inning to take a 4-1 lead. Despite loading the bases twice during their first few at bats, the breaks kept going Itasca’s way by making third out plays when they needed them the most.
Trailing 5-1 in the 5th inning after Itasca sent their third out-of-the-park homerun over the centerfield fence, Paige Westbrook reached out at the plate to record a 2-run single, reducing Italy’s deficit 5-3. Next, a low pitch slips past Itasca’s catcher allowing Jaclynn Lewis to score from third, 5-4. With Itasca still scrambling for the ball, K’Breona Davis, who trailed Lewis around third base, tries to sneak in the tying run but is tagged out sliding into home. Once again, Itasca gets the third out just in time.
With her team trailing by one run and the end of the game in sight, Lewis remains in the circle for Italy and continues to pitch into the heart of Itasca’s batting order. Now, when Italy needed it the most, Lewis heats up. Weighing his options, head coach Wayne Rowe calls for a brief meeting with catcher Alyssa Richards and Lewis at the mound which results in Richards convincing Rowe to stay the course. With help from her defensive teammates, including a reliable effort from first baseman Katie Byers, Lewis keeps popping the dust off the catcher’s mitt and manages to steal the momentum from the Lady Cats.
In the bottom of the seventh-inning, still trailing 5-4 and facing what could be their last chance to remain undefeated in district thus far, Richards comes up to the plate holding her bat from the fat end and shuffles the sand of the batter’s box with her cleats while the Itasca’s infielders conference around their pitcher. Itasca’s pitcher refuses to back down and Richards swings and misses on the first two pitches. After a ball and a foul tip, Richards goes yard with the next pitch and sails it over the left field fence for a game tying solo homerun. Richards is amped as she rounds the bases and then takes a flying leap onto home plate where she is greeted by her teammates, Itasca 5, Italy 5.
Grabbing a bat and with her dugout bellowing, “Jaaack….Jaaack,” as they drag out her name to mimic the sounds sheep make with Lewis on the eve of showing her lambs at the Ellis County Youth Expo in Waxahchie, Lewis answers the calls with a shearing shot into right field for a triple to represent the winning run at third base — with no outs. Italy’s next two batters, however, fly out and then strike out for the first two outs setting the scene for a dramatic finish. Sophomore Tara Wallis makes her way to the plate and settles in as a lefty hitter. Itasca’s coaching staff counters by bringing in their left fielder in to cover the ground between the pitchers mound and first base. Wallis battles but has two strikes against her with the next pitch on its way…
…Tap! With an effortless swing of the bat, Wallis bloops the ball between and beyond Itasca’s first and second base defenders. As the Lady Cats’ give chase, Lewis hurries home with a big smile to give Italy the 6-5 win. The rest of the Lady Gladiators pour out of the dugout to swoop up the pint-size Wallis and celebrate their incredible victory!!
Afterwards, an emotional Coach Rowe addressed his ladies with words of encouragement and then laid out their goals for the next few days and ultimately the season. Kelsey Nelson then calls for a group hug, with Rowe being the central focus. The tight as ever group followed with a prayer, broke the huddle and then started thinking ahead to Frost this Friday, March 29, with a start time of 1:00 p.m. in Polar Bear country.
Despite Itasca’s few but efficient hitting, Lewis finished with 10 strikeouts which bettered her season average of 8.3 strikeouts per game. Lewis said of Itasca’s offensive attack, “My pitches were on the mark. Itasca deserves credit for making contact. I’m just proud of our team for fighting until the end.”
Richards comes thru with her third homerun of the season, two of which have come at the disheartening expense of the Lady Wampus Cats. Wallis sparked Italy with a homerun as well during the previous matchup between these two district rivals but Tuesday’s blooping single to win the game, well, that’s the stuff of legends.