Gladiators get the job done on the diamond; 2013 District Champions!

Image: Seniors Caden Jacinto(1) and Chase Hamilton(10) backup up junior pitcher Tyler Anderson(7) as Anderson helps lead Italy to a 16-1 victory of Avalon to clinch the outright 2013 district championship.

Seniors Caden Jacinto(1) and Chase Hamilton(10) backup up junior pitcher Tyler Anderson(7) as Anderson helps lead Italy to a 16-1 victory of Avalon to clinch the outright 2013 district championship. (Barry Byers)

Image: Freshman Ryan Connor(4) handles the catching duties for Italy like a seasoned veteran.

Freshman Ryan Connor(4) handles the catching duties for Italy like a seasoned veteran. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cole Hopkins(9) gets warmed up at first base.

Cole Hopkins(9) gets warmed up at first base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior center fielder Chase Hamilton(10) hustles in after Avalon struggles to make a dent in Italy’s armor with their bats.

Senior center fielder Chase Hamilton(10) hustles in after Avalon struggles to make a dent in Italy’s armor with their bats. (Barry Byers)

Image: Marvin Cox(3) and the Italy Gladiators have emerged from the shadows as district champions.

Marvin Cox(3) and the Italy Gladiators have emerged from the shadows as district champions. (Barry Byers)

Image: Chase Hamilton(10) reaches second base against the Eagles.

Chase Hamilton(10) reaches second base against the Eagles. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cole Hopkins(9) just moments before going yard against Avalon.

Cole Hopkins(9) just moments before going yard against Avalon. (Barry Byers)

Image: He gone! John “Squirt” Hughes(6) sprints toward second base.

He gone! John “Squirt” Hughes(6) sprints toward second base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy Baseball Head Coach Josh Ward chats with Marvin Cox(3).

Italy Baseball Head Coach Josh Ward chats with Marvin Cox(3). (Barry Byers)

Image: Striding into home is Italy’s Marvin Cox(3).

Striding into home is Italy’s Marvin Cox(3). (Barry Byers)

Image: Chase Hamilton(10) is enjoying his team’s dominating performance against Avalon.

Chase Hamilton(10) is enjoying his team’s dominating performance against Avalon. (Barry Byers)

Image: Left fielder Hayden Woods(8) backsup shortstop Caden Jacinto(1) who throws to Cole Hopkins at first base for an Italy out against Avalon.

Left fielder Hayden Woods(8) backsup shortstop Caden Jacinto(1) who throws to Cole Hopkins at first base for an Italy out against Avalon.

Image: Marvin Cox(3) settles in at third base.

Marvin Cox(3) settles in at third base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator John Byers(21) battles his way to a walk.

Gladiator John Byers(21) battles his way to a walk. (Barry Byers)

Image: Seniors Cole Hopkins(9) and Caden Jacinto(1) prepare to bat against the Eagles.

Seniors Cole Hopkins(9) and Caden Jacinto(1) prepare to bat against the Eagles. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s John Byers(21) reacts to a hit and races to second base.

Italy’s John Byers(21) reacts to a hit and races to second base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Caden Jacinto(3) earns a walk after facing a full count.

Caden Jacinto(3) earns a walk after facing a full count. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kevin Roldan(16) tries to put on the breaks after scoring a run for Italy.

Kevin Roldan(16) tries to put on the breaks after scoring a run for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tip your hat to Caden Jacinto(1) and the Gladiators on winning the district championship.

Tip your hat to Caden Jacinto(1) and the Gladiators on winning the district championship. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Marvin Cox(3) knocks in two of his 3RBIs.

Italy’s Marvin Cox(3) knocks in two of his 3RBIs. (Barry Byers)

Image: Caden Jacinto(1) touches home plate for an Italy run.

Caden Jacinto(1) touches home plate for an Italy run. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Reid Jacinto(5) crosses home plate.

Italy’s Reid Jacinto(5) crosses home plate. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cousins Caden Jacinto(1) and Reid Jacinto(5) get the out at second and then moves out of the way of Avalon’s sliding Christian Gatlin(4).

Cousins Caden Jacinto(1) and Reid Jacinto(5) get the out at second and then moves out of the way of Avalon’s sliding Christian Gatlin(4). (Barry Byers)

Image: Avalon’s Reece Marshall(3) meets the italian hurricane, John “Squirt” Hughes(6), who disrupts the throw to make it back to first base.

Avalon’s Reece Marshall(3) meets the italian hurricane, John “Squirt” Hughes(6), who disrupts the throw to make it back to first base. (Barry Byers)

Return to story