Gladiators guaranteed portion of district championship with Senior Day win

Image: 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.

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)

Image: Hayden Woods(8), Senior 2013.

Hayden Woods(8), Senior 2013. (Barry Byers)

Image: Caden Jacinto(2), Senior 2013.

Caden Jacinto(2), Senior 2013. (Barry Byers)

Image: Reid Jacinto(5), Senior 2013.

Reid Jacinto(5), Senior 2013. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator cousins Caden Jacinto(2) and Reid Jacinto(5), Seniors 2013.

Gladiator cousins Caden Jacinto(2) and Reid Jacinto(5), Seniors 2013. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cole Hopkins(9), Senior 2013.

Cole Hopkins(9), Senior 2013. (Barry Byers)

Image: Chase Hamilton(10), Senior 2013.

Chase Hamilton(10), Senior 2013. (Barry Byers)

Image: Marvin Cox(3), Senior 2013.

Marvin Cox(3), Senior 2013. (Barry Byers)

Image: John “Squirt” Hughes(6), Senior 2013.

John “Squirt” Hughes(6), Senior 2013. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Marvin Cox(3) is escorted by his mother Sharon Blackshire for Senior Day 2013.

Senior Marvin Cox(3) is escorted by his mother Sharon Blackshire for Senior Day 2013. (Barry Byers)

Image: Proud parents Lee and DeeDee Hamilton escort son Chase Hamilton(10), a senior, who receives a gift bag and a hug form Italy Baseball head coach Josh Ward. Aaawwww!

Proud parents Lee and DeeDee Hamilton escort son Chase Hamilton(10), a senior, who receives a gift bag and a hug form Italy Baseball head coach Josh Ward. Aaawwww! (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior John “Squirt” Hughes(6) is escorted by his super proud grandmother.

Senior John “Squirt” Hughes(6) is escorted by his super proud grandmother. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Reid Jacinto(5) is escorted by his parents Mark and Susan Jacinto.

Senior Reid Jacinto(5) is escorted by his parents Mark and Susan Jacinto. (Barry Byers)

Image: Caden Jacinto(2) is escorted by his parents Vincent and Lisa Jacinto as head coach Josh Ward shows his appreciation for the senior pitcher.

Caden Jacinto(2) is escorted by his parents Vincent and Lisa Jacinto as head coach Josh Ward shows his appreciation for the senior pitcher. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cassandra Hopkins and her husband Brad escort their son Cole Hopkins(9) on Senior Day 2013.

Cassandra Hopkins and her husband Brad escort their son Cole Hopkins(9) on Senior Day 2013. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Gladiators Hayden Woods(8) and marvin Cox(3) present assistant coach Brian Coffman and head coach Josh Ward with gift bags as thanks for their efforts in leading Italy to a district championship and into the playoffs.

Senior Gladiators Hayden Woods(8) and marvin Cox(3) present assistant coach Brian Coffman and head coach Josh Ward with gift bags as thanks for their efforts in leading Italy to a district championship and into the playoffs. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy Baseball seniors 2013 are (B-R) John “Squirt” Hughes(6), Hayden Woods(8), Marvin Cox(3), Caden Jacinto(3) and Cole Hopkins(9). (F-R) Reid Jacinto(5) and Chase Hamilton(10) with their names and numbers forever etched in Gladiator lore.

Italy Baseball seniors 2013 are (B-R) John “Squirt” Hughes(6), Hayden Woods(8), Marvin Cox(3), Caden Jacinto(3) and Cole Hopkins(9). (F-R) Reid Jacinto(5) and Chase Hamilton(10) with their names and numbers forever etched in Gladiator lore. (Barry Byers)

Image: Freshman catcher Ryan Connor(17) warming up before the start of the game against Waxahachie Faith Family.

Freshman catcher Ryan Connor(17) warming up before the start of the game against Waxahachie Faith Family. (Barry Byers)

Image: Stoic is senior third baseman Cole Hopkins(9) who also played first base earlier in the season.

Stoic is senior third baseman Cole Hopkins(9) who also played first base earlier in the season. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior center fielder Chase Hamilton(10) is an original alright!

Senior center fielder Chase Hamilton(10) is an original alright! (Barry Byers)

Image: Seniors Cole Hopkins(9) and Chase Hamilton(10) air collide for good luck before the game.

Seniors Cole Hopkins(9) and Chase Hamilton(10) air collide for good luck before the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sophomore John Byers applies eye-black while using Chase Hamilton’s face and shades as a vanity while senior fashion consultants Marvin Cox and Cole Hopkins lend b-e-a-uty tips.

Sophomore John Byers applies eye-black while using Chase Hamilton’s face and shades as a vanity while senior fashion consultants Marvin Cox and Cole Hopkins lend b-e-a-uty tips. (Barry Byers)

Image: Right fielder and senior Hayden Woods(8) gets warmed up between innings.

Right fielder and senior Hayden Woods(8) gets warmed up between innings. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Caden Jacinto(2) puts the first run on the board for Italy.

Senior Caden Jacinto(2) puts the first run on the board for Italy. (Barry Byers)

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