Gladiators guaranteed portion of district championship with Senior Day win
Senior Gladiator Marvin Cox(3) wakes up in time for Senior Day 2013 thanks to his teammates who did not want Cox to miss their big day. Cox caught a popup at shortstop and pitched two strikeouts against three batters to close the game for Italy to preserve the 10-4 win for senior teammate Caden Jacinto. Italy defeated Waxahachie Faith Family to claim at least a piece of the district championship. (Barry Byers)
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Italy — Coming off a 13-2 playoff practice game win over Boyd, the 2013 Italy Gladiator Baseball Program recognized its seven seniors during their final home game at Davidson Field against Waxahachie Faith Family. Italy came from behind to win the district matchup 10-4 with seniors Chase “Ham-Bone” Hamilton, John “Squirt” Hughes, Caden Jacinto, Reid Jacinto, Marvin Cox, Hayden Woods and Cole Hopkins leading the way. In doing so, Italy is guaranteed at least a share of the district championship as they stand atop the 1A Region II District 14 Baseball Standings with an 8-1 district mark.
Before the game, each senior was escorted by family members with the moms receiving roses and the players receiving gift bags. In turn, Woods and Cox presented coaches Josh Ward and Brian Coffman with gifts as well.
It was Italy’s freshman catcher Ryan Connor setting the tone early with two successful throw downs to second base with second baseman Reid Jacinto making both tags at dirt level. Italy’s infielders later pulled off a double play with Hopkins fielding the grounder at third and then throwing to R. Jacinto at second base for the second out in the top of the sixth-inning. R. Jacinto then threw to Byers at first for the double play.
C. Jacinto recorded 5 Ks, gave up 5 hits and threw 112 pitches in the win for Italy. All seven seniors crossed home plate to score 7 of italy’s 10-points, none more dramatic than Hughes’s scamper home off a C. Jacinto single. Sophomore John Byers slid across home plate twice benefiting from a pair of doubles from junior Kevin Roldan. Tyler Anderson, another junior also added an Italy run. Roldan contributed with 4 RBIs in total. C. Jacinto had 2 hits, one double and 2 RBIs as well.
Six of the seven seniors stole one base with Hughes cheering them on while helping to lead the cheers from an active Italy dugout. Cox closed the game with two strikeouts in the seventh to preserve the win for C. Jacinto.
Following the victory and a post-game speech by Ward, the chase was on to douse coaches with buckets of water with Ward and Coffman being a prime candidates. Track coach Nate Skelton was nearly in the wrong place at the wrong time while Coffman desperately clutched at his electronically tablet in hopes of avoiding taking the icy cold shower. After Woods and Cox splashed a chilly congratulations down Ward’s backside, they got him a second time when Hughes jumped on the coaches back to slow his second try at an escape. Ward was subsequently splashed again by Hamilton and Cox.
Italy now needs to defeat the Avalon Eagles on Thursday, April 25 at 4:30 p.m. in Avalon to win the district championship outright. Hope everyone can make the short rip over to Avalon and show your support for the Gladiators!