Italy wins bitter sweet double-header against Covington; Seniors take final walk

Image: Lady Gladiator senior Morgan Cockerham(8) touches third and then races home to help Italy defeat Covington during the first game of a double-header on Saturday.

Lady Gladiator senior Morgan Cockerham(8) touches third and then races home to help Italy defeat Covington during the first game of a double-header on Saturday. (Barry Byers)

Image: Leaping home is senior Alyssa Richards(9) after recording her fourth home run of the season and her first grand-slam by sailing the pitch well over the left field fence.

Leaping home is senior Alyssa Richards(9) after recording her fourth home run of the season and her first grand-slam by sailing the pitch well over the left field fence. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lady Gladiator senior Katie Byers(13) stirs up the third base line while looking for a chance to reach home plate while head coach Wayne Rowe observes the action.

Lady Gladiator senior Katie Byers(13) stirs up the third base line while looking for a chance to reach home plate while head coach Wayne Rowe observes the action. (Barry Byers)

Image: Paige Westbrook(10) is a key member of the Lady Gladiator hit squad and helped Italy outscore Covington 39-0 over the course of a double-header on Saturday.

Paige Westbrook(10) is a key member of the Lady Gladiator hit squad and helped Italy outscore Covington 39-0 over the course of a double-header on Saturday. (Barry Byers)

Image: Katie Byers(13) races home for another Italy run.

Katie Byers(13) races home for another Italy run. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy sophomore Jaclynn Lewis(15) records her second home run of the season with an inside-the park homer.

Italy sophomore Jaclynn Lewis(15) records her second home run of the season with an inside-the park homer. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sophomore shortstop Madison Washington(2) warms up between innings.

Sophomore shortstop Madison Washington(2) warms up between innings.

Image: Alyssa Richards(9) shows her versatility after moving to first base in the second game of a double-header against Covington,

Alyssa Richards(9) shows her versatility after moving to first base in the second game of a double-header against Covington, (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior first baseman Katie Byers(13) looks on as teammate and senior outfielder Morgan Cockerham(8) covers a grounder and then throws to second base over Bailey Eubank(1) who ducks down to make way for, “Mo.”

Senior first baseman Katie Byers(13) looks on as teammate and senior outfielder Morgan Cockerham(8) covers a grounder and then throws to second base over Bailey Eubank(1) who ducks down to make way for, “Mo.” (Barry Byers)

Image: Kelsey Nelson(14) enjoys sharing in her team’s dominating performance against Covington.

Kelsey Nelson(14) enjoys sharing in her team’s dominating performance against Covington. (Barry Byers)

Image: The future looks bright for Madison Washington(2) and her Lady Gladiator teammates who win both games of a double-header against Covington.

The future looks bright for Madison Washington(2) and her Lady Gladiator teammates who win both games of a double-header against Covington. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sophomore Lady Gladiator Bailey Eubank(1) makes her approach into the batter’s box.

Sophomore Lady Gladiator Bailey Eubank(1) makes her approach into the batter’s box. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lady Gladiator freshman Hannah Washington(6) gives a great effort sliding into home but is called out as she peers at the umpire.

Lady Gladiator freshman Hannah Washington(6) gives a great effort sliding into home but is called out as she peers at the umpire. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sophomore K’Breona Davis(11) records her first homerun as a Lady Gladiator with an inside-the-park effort.

Sophomore K’Breona Davis(11) records her first homerun as a Lady Gladiator with an inside-the-park effort. (Barry Byers)

Image: Madison Washington(2) and Katie Byers(13) celebrate the final out in style as pitcher Jaclynn Lewis(15) gets a chuckle out of their enthusiasm.

Madison Washington(2) and Katie Byers(13) celebrate the final out in style as pitcher Jaclynn Lewis(15) gets a chuckle out of their enthusiasm. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Alyssa Richards(9) is escorted onto the field by her mother Tina Richards, sister Brycelin Richards and father Allen Richards.

Senior Alyssa Richards(9) is escorted onto the field by her mother Tina Richards, sister Brycelin Richards and father Allen Richards. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Morgan Cockerham(8) is escorted by her litlle sister Alex Jones an father Paul Cockerham.

Senior Morgan Cockerham(8) is escorted by her litlle sister Alex Jones an father Paul Cockerham. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Lady Gladiator Katie Byers(13) is escorted by her parents Nancy and Brent Byers during a between game ceremony honoring Senior Day.

Senior Lady Gladiator Katie Byers(13) is escorted by her parents Nancy and Brent Byers during a between game ceremony honoring Senior Day. (Barry Byers)

Image: Honored on Senior Day is Lady Gladiator Morgan Cockerham(8) who is escorted by little sister Alex Jones and father Paul Cockerham.

Honored on Senior Day is Lady Gladiator Morgan Cockerham(8) who is escorted by little sister Alex Jones and father Paul Cockerham. (Barry Byers)

Image: Being honored on Senior Day is Lady Gladiator Alyssa Richards(9) who is escorted by her mother Tina Richards, little sister Brycelin Richards and father Allen Richards.

Being honored on Senior Day is Lady Gladiator Alyssa Richards(9) who is escorted by her mother Tina Richards, little sister Brycelin Richards and father Allen Richards. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Morgan Cockerham(8) is mugged with hugs from all her teammates as Jaclynn Lewis(15) and Tara Wallis(5) squeeze tight.

Senior Morgan Cockerham(8) is mugged with hugs from all her teammates as Jaclynn Lewis(15) and Tara Wallis(5) squeeze tight. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lady Gladiator senior Katie Byers(13) receives a hug from cousin Zain Byers as Katie and her fellow seniors partake in their final home games.

Lady Gladiator senior Katie Byers(13) receives a hug from cousin Zain Byers as Katie and her fellow seniors partake in their final home games. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lady Gladiator senior Alyssa Richards(9) receives a loving hug from loving grandmother Rita Garza on Senior Day.

Lady Gladiator senior Alyssa Richards(9) receives a loving hug from loving grandmother Rita Garza on Senior Day. (Barry Byers)

Image: Final Walk: 2013 seniors Morgan Cockerham(8), Alysa Richards(9) and Katie Byers(13) are joined during the FInal Walk by coaches, teammates and little Hannah Rowe (far left).

Final Walk: 2013 seniors Morgan Cockerham(8), Alysa Richards(9) and Katie Byers(13) are joined during the FInal Walk by coaches, teammates and little Hannah Rowe (far left). (Barry Byers)

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