Hamilton comes thru with a walk off RBI to help Italy defeat Frost 3-2
Italy’s Chase Hamilton(10) settles in at the plate during an early at bat against the visiting Frost Polar Bears. Hamilton and the rest of his Gladiator teammates avenge their opening district loss to the Polar Bears and emerge as the front runner in the district race. (Barry Byers)
Italy — The Italy Gladiator baseball boys get a stellar performance form senior pitcher Caden Jacinto who led his club to a vital district win over the Frost Polar Bears. Jacinto went the entire game on the mound recording 11 strikeouts while freshman catcher Ryan Connor came through with a solid effort for head coach Josh Ward and assistant coach Brian Coffman.
Italy took an early 1-0 lead but Frost battled back to tie the contest 2-2 which setup a dramatic finish. Italy loads the bases in the bottom of the seventh-inning with Hayden Woods at third base, John Byers at second base and Cole Hopkins at first base and no outs. Italy senior Chase Hamilton connects on a pitch that deflects off the foot of Frost’s second baseman. The fielding error allows Woods to score from third base securing a 3-2 victory for the Gladiators.
Hamilton’s clutch play gives Italy the edge over both Frost and Itasca in the district race as they find a a way against one of the top pitchers in the district.
On Saturday, the Gladiators played a non-district double-header against visiting Chico with Italy winning the first game 11-7. Italy came from behind to win the second game 9-8 in eight innings when Jacinto hit a ball into left field to score Hamilton who scurried home from second as the ‘golden gamers’ continue to roll.