The Italy Lady Gladiators win the Area Championship giving Gorman early exit

Image: Expect Alyssa Richards(9) and Jaclynn Lewis(15) to be a ‘pretty’ tough combination as Italy continues in the playoffs after defeating Gorman for the Area Championship.

Expect Alyssa Richards(9) and Jaclynn Lewis(15) to be a ‘pretty’ tough combination as Italy continues in the playoffs after defeating Gorman for the Area Championship. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lillie Perry(12) poses with little sister Annie Perry between games.

Lillie Perry(12) poses with little sister Annie Perry between games. (Barry Byers)

Image: Morgan Cockerham(8) and teammates Katie Byers(13) and Bailey Eubank(1) looked extremely confident against Gorman on Friday.

Morgan Cockerham(8) and teammates Katie Byers(13) and Bailey Eubank(1) looked extremely confident against Gorman on Friday. (Barry Byers)

Image: Alyssa Richards(9) shares a laugh with her dad, Allan Richards, between games.

Alyssa Richards(9) shares a laugh with her dad, Allan Richards, between games. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bailey Eubank(1) is ready to get going for the second game of the double-header against Gorman.

Bailey Eubank(1) is ready to get going for the second game of the double-header against Gorman. (Barry Byers)

Image: Out fielder Britney Chambers(4) warms up as the second game gets underway.

Out fielder Britney Chambers(4) warms up as the second game gets underway. (Barry Byers)

Image: Outfielder Morgan Cockerham(8) gets ready for game two.

Outfielder Morgan Cockerham(8) gets ready for game two. (Barry Byers)

Image: Katie Byers(13) warms up between games against Gorman.

Katie Byers(13) warms up between games against Gorman. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Cassdiy Childers(3) throws the ball as fellow outfielders Tara Wallis(5), Kelsey Nelson(14) and Ashlyn Jacinto(7) practice catching fly balls between games.

Italy’s Cassdiy Childers(3) throws the ball as fellow outfielders Tara Wallis(5), Kelsey Nelson(14) and Ashlyn Jacinto(7) practice catching fly balls between games. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kelsey Nelson(14) rushes over to give high five to Hannah Washington(6) as the Lady Gladiators get pumped up for game two.

Kelsey Nelson(14) rushes over to give high five to Hannah Washington(6) as the Lady Gladiators get pumped up for game two. (Barry Byers)

Image: K’Breona Davis(11) adds levity to the moment as she and her Lady Gladiator teammates win against Gorman, summersaulting their way into the next round of the playoffs.

K’Breona Davis(11) adds levity to the moment as she and her Lady Gladiator teammates win against Gorman, summersaulting their way into the next round of the playoffs. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Lady Gladiators take the field and then they take the area championship.

The Lady Gladiators take the field and then they take the area championship. (Barry Byers)

Image: Madison Washington(2) eyes third base.

Madison Washington(2) eyes third base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy catcher Alyssa Richards(9) checks a Gorman runner at third base.

Italy catcher Alyssa Richards(9) checks a Gorman runner at third base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Pitcher Jaclynn Lewis(15) turns in a hustle play by running down a ground ball and then throwing on the run, and on target, to first baseman Katie Byers(13) who makes the catch for an out.

Pitcher Jaclynn Lewis(15) turns in a hustle play by running down a ground ball and then throwing on the run, and on target, to first baseman Katie Byers(13) who makes the catch for an out. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bailey Eubank(1) gets a high-five from teammate Alyssa Richards(9) after Eubank scores an Italy run. Eubank scored 3 runs in total over the course of both games with 1 single, 2 walks and knocked in 1 RBI as well.

Bailey Eubank(1) gets a high-five from teammate Alyssa Richards(9) after Eubank scores an Italy run. Eubank scored 3 runs in total over the course of both games with 1 single, 2 walks and knocked in 1 RBI as well. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Katie Byers(13) helps lead the cheers from a lively Lady Gladiator dugout.

Senior Katie Byers(13) helps lead the cheers from a lively Lady Gladiator dugout. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tara Wallis(5) has something up her sleeve besides secret plays.

Tara Wallis(5) has something up her sleeve besides secret plays. (Barry Byers)

Image: Catcher Alyssa Richards(9) conserves her energy while listening intently to the advice her mom and coach, Tina Richards, offers her.

Catcher Alyssa Richards(9) conserves her energy while listening intently to the advice her mom and coach, Tina Richards, offers her. (Barry Byers)

Image: A tremendous day for sophomore Kelsey Nelson(14) as she records another hit against Gorman.

A tremendous day for sophomore Kelsey Nelson(14) as she records another hit against Gorman. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bailey Eubank(1) peels out on her way to second base. Eubank had 2 stolen bases on the day.

Bailey Eubank(1) peels out on her way to second base. Eubank had 2 stolen bases on the day. (Barry Byers)

Image: Alyssa Richards(9) checks the path of her hit as she nears first base.

Alyssa Richards(9) checks the path of her hit as she nears first base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Freshman Lillie Perry(12) stepped it up as a pinch-hitter for the Lady Gladiators.

Freshman Lillie Perry(12) stepped it up as a pinch-hitter for the Lady Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Paige Westbrook(10), Jaclynn Lewis(15) and Alyssa Richards(9) help cheer on their fellow batters.

Paige Westbrook(10), Jaclynn Lewis(15) and Alyssa Richards(9) help cheer on their fellow batters. (Barry Byers)

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