Weatherford — The Italy Lady Gladiators rose to the challenge and took care of business against the Gorman Lady Panthers on Friday in a best two-out-of-three for the area championship. Gorman entered the contest coming off a 3-1 bi-district win over Valley Mills. A third game was scheduled for Saturday if needed, but it was not, with Italy handling Gorman fairly easily in the first two outings, wrapping up the area championship in one trip.

Italy head coach Wayne Rowe and assistant coaches Michael Chambers and Tina Richards relied on sophomore pitcher Jaclynn Lewis to lead the cause from the mound who received plenty of assistance from her defensive teammates. Lewis leans heavily on senior catcher Alyssa Richards who keeps Lewis on target while pulling off her on defensive plays that helped keep the Lady Panthers offense in check.

Also pitching to backup Lewis where shortstop Madison Washington, who combined with Richards on a throw down to second base to tag out a Gorman runner trying to steal, and third baseman Paige Westbrook who also teamed up with Richards to catch a Gorman base runner too far away from the bag for another tag out. Both Washington and Westbrook covered grounders and threw out runners before they could reach first base with Katie Byers making the catches. Richards also caught a popup at home plate early in game one with the senior pulling out all the stops against Gorman.

Left fielder Tara Wallis caught a popup in left field while freshman Britney Chambers was active in right field who split time with Morgan Cockerham. As solid as Italy’s defense was overall, the difference in the game was Italy’s high-powered offense that was productive throughout district and continues to pour it on during the playoffs, outscoring Gorman 27-5 in the two games. Once on base, Italy’s speed is difficult to contend with as Kelsey Nelson terrorized Gorman’s infielders who were often late on the tag.

Washington, Bailey Eubank, Chambers, pinch runners K’Breona Davis and Ashlyn Jacinto, Morgan Cockerham and Westbrook are all skilled base runners with Westbrook sliding hard into second base to help keep the good times rolling for Italy. Pinch hitter Lillie Perry was also effective at the plate and successful rounding the bases.

Game 1
Italy started game one off with a 2-0 lead after a 2 run double by Lewis scored Nelson and Richards. Gorman responded in their first at bat by capitalizing on three Italy errors to make the score 2-1. In the top of the third, Italy added 2 more runs. A double by Madison Washington, who was knocked in thanks to a Nelson sacrifice bunt, and Richards, who was struck by a pitch to get on base and later knocked in off a Westbrook double, made the score 4-1.

Italy would extend their lead 10-1 in the top of the fourth. Hits by freshman Lillie Perry, who doubled to start the fourth-inning off, and teammates Richards, Westbrook and Wallis paved the way for a 6 more Italy runs with Chambers, Nelson and Lewis each getting on base with the help of two Gorman errors.

The Lady Panthers managed a hit in the bottom half of the inning but Wallis caught a popup hit to left field for the third out to keep Gorman from getting on the board.

Nelson knocked in Eubank, in the top of the fifth-inning with Nelson reaching first base on the fielders choice play. Italy now led 11-1. In the bottom of the fifth, Wallis came thru for Italy with another catch for an out in left field while Lewis struck out two Gorman batters looking. Lewis struck out a total of 7 batters during game one.

The Lady Gladiators get the win 11-1 in the first game of the double-header and then were given a break between games where they were allowed to visit with their parents and fans. The players then warmed up a bit before with drills before the start of game two.

Game 2:
After licking their wounds from the first game, Gorman comes out battling and manages a pair of first-inning runs to lead 2-0 early. Italy quickly responds in the bottom of the first with 3 runs of their own to take the lead 3-2. Nelson again knocked in Washington, via a double. Richards doubled to score Nelson followed by a sacrifice fly ball hit to centerfield by Westbroook to score Richards.

Nelson makes the catch for an out in centerfield followed by Lewis who cuts down two of the next three Gorman batter’s swinging to help the Lady Gladiators maintain their 3-2 edge.

Italy pulled further away in the bottom of the second-inning by scoring 3 runs on 3 hits and 1 error by Gorman. Perry, Eubank and Washington each crossed home plate for Italy with Perry earning a walk and Eubank, Washington and Nelson hitting to get on base.

With Italy up 6-2, Gorman is unable to close in against the defense by Lewis and company. The Lady Gladiators use the bottom of the third-inning to separate themselves from Gorman by scoring 5 runs. Singles by Westbrook and Wallis, a Cockerham walk, and doubles by Washington, Nelson and Richards help Italy take a commanding 11-2 lead.

In the top of the fourth-inning, a hustle play by Lewis results in an out when Lewis catches a grounder on the run and continues on the run toward first base where she delivers a throw to Katie Byers for the first out. Lewis strikes out the next two Gorman batters swinging to preserve Italy’s large lead.

Italy hammers the final 5 nails into Gorman’s coffin with the Lady Gladiators adding another 5 runs to their total. A Westbrook single started the rally off followed by Wallis who was walked. Freshman Hannah Washington scores Westbrook and advances Wallis to third base after grounding out to third. With Cockerham battling at the plate, Wallis is caught in a run down but manages to steal home and make the score 13-2. Cockerham is walked and eventually scores, as does Eubank, who hurries in benefitting from a M. Washington single, giving Italy a 15-2 lead.

With the action continuing in the bottom half of the inning, Nelson hits a single and Richards is walked which loads the bases. Lewis gets walked scoring M. Washington from third and increasing Italy’s advantage to 16-2. Gorman catches a pop fly and covers a grounder to get out of the inning with one last chance but with a tall mountain to climb.

In the top of the fifth, Italy’s Lewis strikes two of Gorman’s first three batters looking. The Lady Panthers score two runs but Lewis finally ends the drama with one final no-swing strikeout to end the game. Italy wins16-4 to take both games of the double-header. Lewis finished the the second game with 10 strikeouts, 17 strikeouts in total on the day.

The Lady Gladiators will duel with Bosqueville in the regional quarterfinal championship round to be hosted at Hillsboro High School located at 1600 Abbott Avenue, Hillsboro.

• Game 1: Friday, May 10 – 7:00pm
• Game 2: Saturday, May 11 – 2:00pm
• Game 3: (if necessary), May 11 – 4:00pm

Passes Accepted:

• Senior Citizen
• THSCA
• TGCA

Go Italy!

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