Lady Gladiators defeat Gorman in two games to claim Area Championship

Image: Lady Gladiator catcher Alyssa Richards(9) unleashed her complete bag of tricks against Gorman. Pictured is Richards catching a popup at home plate for an Italy out and the senior also threw out a runner trying to steal second base and another that ventured too far away from third over the course of a double-header against the Lady Panthers. Italy won both games, 11-1 and 16-4, to claim the Area Championship.

Lady Gladiator catcher Alyssa Richards(9) unleashed her complete bag of tricks against Gorman. Pictured is Richards catching a popup at home plate for an Italy out and the senior also threw out a runner trying to steal second base and another that ventured too far away from third over the course of a double-header against the Lady Panthers. Italy won both games, 11-1 and 16-4, to claim the Area Championship. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lady Gladiator pitcher Jaclynn Lewis(15) was strong in two blowout wins for Italy to take the Area Championship by defeating Gorman on Friday.

Lady Gladiator pitcher Jaclynn Lewis(15) was strong in two blowout wins for Italy to take the Area Championship by defeating Gorman on Friday. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy catcher Alyssa Richards(9) manages to throw out a hopeful Gorman batter at first base.

Italy catcher Alyssa Richards(9) manages to throw out a hopeful Gorman batter at first base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Freshman Britney Chambers(4) battles at the plate for Italy.

Freshman Britney Chambers(4) battles at the plate for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s pinch runner K’Breona Davis(11) is ready to run as Gorman’s pitcher releases the pitch.

Italy’s pinch runner K’Breona Davis(11) is ready to run as Gorman’s pitcher releases the pitch. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kevin Roldan, Zain Byers, Reid Jacinto and Caden Jacinto use bells and horns to keep the Lady Gladiators energized with plenty of Italy fans making the trip to Weatherford to witness the Lady Gladiators defeat Gorman to win the Area Championship.

Kevin Roldan, Zain Byers, Reid Jacinto and Caden Jacinto use bells and horns to keep the Lady Gladiators energized with plenty of Italy fans making the trip to Weatherford to witness the Lady Gladiators defeat Gorman to win the Area Championship. (Barry Byers)

Image: Slap hitter Bailey Eubank(1) attacks a Gorman pitch.

Slap hitter Bailey Eubank(1) attacks a Gorman pitch. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sophomore Kelsey Nelson(14) was a base running fool against Gorman although the Lady Panthers tag her out on this play.

Sophomore Kelsey Nelson(14) was a base running fool against Gorman although the Lady Panthers tag her out on this play. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Lillie Perry(12) semi-slides safely into second base. Perry hit a double, was walked and scored twice as a pinch hitter.

Italy’s Lillie Perry(12) semi-slides safely into second base. Perry hit a double, was walked and scored twice as a pinch hitter. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Britney Chambers(4) hits and then hustles to first base.

Italy’s Britney Chambers(4) hits and then hustles to first base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Britney Chambers(4) is called out on a close call at first base.

Britney Chambers(4) is called out on a close call at first base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Second baseman Bailey Eubank(1) tracks down a well placed popup behind first base with teammate Britney Chambers on the scene for backup.

Second baseman Bailey Eubank(1) tracks down a well placed popup behind first base with teammate Britney Chambers on the scene for backup. (Barry Byers)

Image: Shortstop Madison Washington(2) combines with catcher Alyssa Richards to make the tag on a steal attempt by Gorman.

Shortstop Madison Washington(2) combines with catcher Alyssa Richards to make the tag on a steal attempt by Gorman. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jaclynn Lewis(15) was just too good on the mound to lead the Lady Gladiators in two consecutive wins over Gorman. Lewis had 7 strikeouts in the first game and 10 strikeouts in the second game.

Jaclynn Lewis(15) was just too good on the mound to lead the Lady Gladiators in two consecutive wins over Gorman. Lewis had 7 strikeouts in the first game and 10 strikeouts in the second game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Kelsey Nelson(14) steals second base and continued to be a force for Italy on Friday in both games. In fact, Nelson batted 7 times, hit 3 singles, hit 2 doubles, had a sacrifice bunt, knocked in 5 RBIs and scored 4 times over the course of both Italy wins.

Italy’s Kelsey Nelson(14) steals second base and continued to be a force for Italy on Friday in both games. In fact, Nelson batted 7 times, hit 3 singles, hit 2 doubles, had a sacrifice bunt, knocked in 5 RBIs and scored 4 times over the course of both Italy wins. (Barry Byers)

Image: Freshman Ashlyn Jacinto(7) looks for a chance to reach third for Italy. Jacinto accounted for 3 of Italy’s 27 overall runs to just 5 overall runs by Gorman.

Freshman Ashlyn Jacinto(7) looks for a chance to reach third for Italy. Jacinto accounted for 3 of Italy’s 27 overall runs to just 5 overall runs by Gorman. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lady Gladiator senior Katie Byers(13) is enjoying her team’s effort against Gorman.

Lady Gladiator senior Katie Byers(13) is enjoying her team’s effort against Gorman. (Barry Byers)

Image: Junior Paige Westbrook(10) puts on the breaks for now but eventually reaches third base. Westbrook hit 3 singles, 1 double, knocked in 4 RBIs and scored 1 run over the course of both games.

Junior Paige Westbrook(10) puts on the breaks for now but eventually reaches third base. Westbrook hit 3 singles, 1 double, knocked in 4 RBIs and scored 1 run over the course of both games. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Jaclynn Lewis(15) makes an equipment change.

Italy’s Jaclynn Lewis(15) makes an equipment change. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior outfielder Morgan Cockerham(8) is ready to finish off Gorman as she prepares for game two of the double-header.

Senior outfielder Morgan Cockerham(8) is ready to finish off Gorman as she prepares for game two of the double-header. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy sophomore Tara Wallis(5) makes the catch in left field for an out and makes it look easy.

Italy sophomore Tara Wallis(5) makes the catch in left field for an out and makes it look easy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Former Lady Gladiator pitcher Megan Lewis, who played college ball at Vernon College and Hardin-Simmons University, was in Weatherford to support Italy and her little sister Jaclynn Lewis(15) who has continued to do a phenomenal job filling the cleats of her big sis.

Former Lady Gladiator pitcher Megan Lewis, who played college ball at Vernon College and Hardin-Simmons University, was in Weatherford to support Italy and her little sister Jaclynn Lewis(15) who has continued to do a phenomenal job filling the cleats of her big sis. (Barry Byers)

Image: Madison Washington(2) prepares to take the second game from Gorman and help Italy win the area title.

Madison Washington(2) prepares to take the second game from Gorman and help Italy win the area title. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lady Gladiator outfielder Tara Wallis(5) gets ready for the finale against Gorman.

Lady Gladiator outfielder Tara Wallis(5) gets ready for the finale against Gorman. (Barry Byers)

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