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)
Kevin Roldan(16) waits for the perfect pitch… (Barry Byers)
Caden Jacinto(2) warms up with head coach Josh Ward between innings as Marvin Cox(3) and second baseman Reid Jacinto(5) wait for the practice throw down from catcher Ryan Connor. (Barry Byers)
Italy’s Kevin Roldan(16) takes a nice lead from first base. (Barry Byers)
Marvin Cox(3) looks for a chance to steal home. (Barry Byers)
Freshman catcher Ryan Connor plays solid for Italy in the win against Frost. (Barry Byers)
Gladiator pitcher Caden Jacinto(2) tries to pickoff a Frost runner at first base. (Barry Byers)
Appreciating the effort by pitcher Caden Jacinto(2) on the mound are Coach Ward and the rest of his Gladiator teammates. (Barry Byers)
Laying off the low ball is Marvin Cox(3). (Barry Byers)
Wear that! One size fits all!! Kevin Roldan(16) is hit by the pitch to take his base. (Barry Byers)
Italy’s Cole Hopkins connects on a pitch to reach first base. (Barry Byers)
Italy’s John Byers(18) fouls one off before earning a walk. (Barry Byers)
Chase Hamilton(10) avoids an inside pitch. (Barry Byers)
Italy’s Cody Boyd battles his way on to first base with a walk. (Barry Byers)
Freshman Ryan Connor avoids an inside pitch. (Barry Byers)
Kenzie Purdue cheers on her uncle John Byers(18) while sitting atop the shoulders of aunt Katie Byers who plays first base for the Lady Gladiators. (Barry Byers)
2012 IHS graduate and collegiate softball pitcher Megan Richards, in for a visit from college, enjoys Italy’s win over Frost with sister, “ChaCha” Richards, who is also a pitcher, and mother, Tina Richards who is a Lady Gladiator softball assistant coach. (Barry Byers)
Caden Jacinto(2) performs at a high level with a possible district championship on the line by recording 11 strikeouts against Frost. (Barry Byers)
Caden Jacinto(2) goes the distance for the win over Frost with center fielder Chase Hamilton(10) backing his senior classmate up. (Barry Byers)
Chase Hamilton(10) gets a big hit in the bottom of the seventh with the bases loaded to propel the Gladiators to a district controlling victory over Frost. (Barry Byers)
The Gladiator of the hour, senior Chase Hamilton(10) comes thru for Italy by hitting a game winning RBI. (Barry Byers)