Lady Gladiators win one and tie one against 2A Scurry-Rosser and 2A Mildred

Image: The Italy Lady Gladiators remember the community of West, where a recent fertilizer plant explosion devastated much of the area, by wearing red ribbons decorated by Sandy Eubank who works at Italy’s Uptown Cafe, a big supporter of Italy Athletics as well as the community as a whole. The ribbons display a cross, the date of the tragedy 4-17-13 and the initials, “W.T.” for West, Texas.

The Italy Lady Gladiators remember the community of West, where a recent fertilizer plant explosion devastated much of the area, by wearing red ribbons decorated by Sandy Eubank who works at Italy’s Uptown Cafe, a big supporter of Italy Athletics as well as the community as a whole. The ribbons display a cross, the date of the tragedy 4-17-13 and the initials, “W.T.” for West, Texas. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s sophomore pitcher Jaclynn Lewis(15) helps her Lady Gladiators avenge two earlier season losses to Scurry-Rosser with a 6-4 victory and then helps hold 2A Mildred’s high powered offense to just 2 runs allowing Italy to tie the game in the bottom of the fifth-inning, 2-2. The game was called after the fifth which was the agreed upon format for Italy’s double-header against both schools.

Italy’s sophomore pitcher Jaclynn Lewis(15) helps her Lady Gladiators avenge two earlier season losses to Scurry-Rosser with a 6-4 victory and then helps hold 2A Mildred’s high powered offense to just 2 runs allowing Italy to tie the game in the bottom of the fifth-inning, 2-2. The game was called after the fifth which was the agreed upon format for Italy’s double-header against both schools. (Barry Byers)

Image: Third baseman Paige Westbrook(10) and left fielder Tara Wallis(5) are ready for anything Mildred hits at them.

Third baseman Paige Westbrook(10) and left fielder Tara Wallis(5) are ready for anything Mildred hits at them. (Barry Byers)

Image: Mildred’s hitters made good contact on the ball but Jaclynn Lewis and her Lady Gladiator teammates hung in their to finish the contest tied 2-2 after 5-innings.

Mildred’s hitters made good contact on the ball but Jaclynn Lewis and her Lady Gladiator teammates hung in their to finish the contest tied 2-2 after 5-innings. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Madison Washington(2) hits and then discards the bat on her way to first base.

Italy’s Madison Washington(2) hits and then discards the bat on her way to first base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sophomore slap hitter Bailey Eubank(1) works to get on base with mom Sandy Eubank, who is located directly above Bailey, rooting her on from the bleachers.

Sophomore slap hitter Bailey Eubank(1) works to get on base with mom Sandy Eubank, who is located directly above Bailey, rooting her on from the bleachers. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Katie Byers(13) connects on the ball with Italy needing to steal back the momentum.

Senior Katie Byers(13) connects on the ball with Italy needing to steal back the momentum. (Barry Byers)

Image: Look at the grace, look at the determination as senior right fielder Morgan Cockerham(8) tries to make the catch at the wall for Italy.

Look at the grace, look at the determination as senior right fielder Morgan Cockerham(8) tries to make the catch at the wall for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior brick wall Alyssa Richards(9) gets the force out at home plate with Italy refusing to allow Mildred to score despite the bases being loaded.

Senior brick wall Alyssa Richards(9) gets the force out at home plate with Italy refusing to allow Mildred to score despite the bases being loaded. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Jaclynn Lewis(15) pulls in a pop-up in front of the mound with third baseman Paige Westbook(10) signaling the ball’s location.

Italy’s Jaclynn Lewis(15) pulls in a pop-up in front of the mound with third baseman Paige Westbook(10) signaling the ball’s location. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sophomores Bailey Eubank(1) and Madison Washington(2) head to the mound after warming up on defense.

Sophomores Bailey Eubank(1) and Madison Washington(2) head to the mound after warming up on defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy center fielder Kelsey Nelson(14) reminds us that sometimes, their just aren’t enough sunflower seeds…

Italy center fielder Kelsey Nelson(14) reminds us that sometimes, their just aren’t enough sunflower seeds… (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior first baseman Katie Byers(13) makes the grab to get a Mildred Runner out while senior right fielder Morgan Cockerham(8) rushes over to back Byers up.

Senior first baseman Katie Byers(13) makes the grab to get a Mildred Runner out while senior right fielder Morgan Cockerham(8) rushes over to back Byers up. (Barry Byers)

Image: Strike! Senior catcher Alyssa Richards(9) pulls in a strike from pitcher Jaclynn Lewis.

Strike! Senior catcher Alyssa Richards(9) pulls in a strike from pitcher Jaclynn Lewis. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sophomore Tara Wallis(5) is determined to stir up trouble for Mildred(5).

Sophomore Tara Wallis(5) is determined to stir up trouble for Mildred(5). (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Paige Westbrook(10) and Jaclynn Lewis(15) are prepared to respond to Mildred’s challenge.

Italy’s Paige Westbrook(10) and Jaclynn Lewis(15) are prepared to respond to Mildred’s challenge. (Barry Byers)

Image: Junior Paige Westbrook(10) zips a sharp liner into the Mildred’s outfield.

Junior Paige Westbrook(10) zips a sharp liner into the Mildred’s outfield. (Barry Byers)

Image: Alyssa Richards(9) looks on and right fielder Morgan Cockerham(8) backs up as first baseman Katie Byers(13) makes the catch to get another Mildred runner out.

Alyssa Richards(9) looks on and right fielder Morgan Cockerham(8) backs up as first baseman Katie Byers(13) makes the catch to get another Mildred runner out. (Barry Byers)

Image: Avoiding a collision with teammate Jaclynn Lewis(15) and still making the catch is senior catcher Alyssa Richards(15).

Avoiding a collision with teammate Jaclynn Lewis(15) and still making the catch is senior catcher Alyssa Richards(15). (Barry Byers)

Image: Freshman Lillie Perry(12) hits and tries to reach first base against visiting Mildred.

Freshman Lillie Perry(12) hits and tries to reach first base against visiting Mildred. (Barry Byers)

Image: Masterminding an Italy comeback is Tara Wallis(5) who makes it home to tie Mildred 2-2 in the bottom of the fifth-inning.

Masterminding an Italy comeback is Tara Wallis(5) who makes it home to tie Mildred 2-2 in the bottom of the fifth-inning. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lady Gladiators Kelsey Nelson(14) and Bailey Eubank(2) enjoy the sweet taste of success!

Lady Gladiators Kelsey Nelson(14) and Bailey Eubank(2) enjoy the sweet taste of success! (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Morgan Cockerham(8) shows off the unique front and back of the Lady Gladiators’ 2013 playoff shirt. The front features a silhouette of the team in a victory huddle. The back displays each member of the team as customized action silhouettes. Traced from actual photographs by Italy Neotribune’s Barry Byers. The Lady Gladiators continue to be trend setters.

Senior Morgan Cockerham(8) shows off the unique front and back of the Lady Gladiators’ 2013 playoff shirt. The front features a silhouette of the team in a victory huddle. The back displays each member of the team as customized action silhouettes. Traced from actual photographs by Italy Neotribune’s Barry Byers. The Lady Gladiators continue to be trend setters.

Image: Freshman Hannah Washington(8) reflects while the same clouds that passed over West and witnessed an aerial view of the destruction’s aftermath now float past the Italy Softball Field. Thursday night, the Italy Lady Gladiators kept the citizens of West in their thoughts by adding red glitter to their eye black and putting their hair up in red ribbons. Each ribbon was decorated with a cross, the date of the explosion, 4-17-13, and the initials “W.T.” for West, Texas.

Freshman Hannah Washington(8) reflects while the same clouds that passed over West and witnessed an aerial view of the destruction’s aftermath now float past the Italy Softball Field. Thursday night, the Italy Lady Gladiators kept the citizens of West in their thoughts by adding red glitter to their eye black and putting their hair up in red ribbons. Each ribbon was decorated with a cross, the date of the explosion, 4-17-13, and the initials “W.T.” for West, Texas. (Barry Byers)

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