Hillsboro — After game one of the best 2-out of-3 regional quarterfinal series being called due to lightning on Friday, the Italy Lady Gladiators were later awarded the win which set the stage for Saturday’s dramatics against the Bosqueville Lady Bulldogs.

Italy needed to win just one of two games in order to advance in the playoffs but the Lady Bulldogs made it clear early that they were not going to just roll over. To start game 1, Bosqueville took a 1-0 lead in the first-inning and then made the lead 2-0 in the top of the third.

With the Lady Gladiators scrambling to make sense of the situation, Kelsey Nelson and Alyssa Richards reached first and second base thanks to a back-to-back singles. Then on the second pitch, Jaclynn Lewis powered a 3 run homerun over the left field fence to give Italy a 3-2 edge in one mighty swing. Lewis rounded the bases and then received a heroes welcome at home plate as she stomped onto the base with authority.

Lewis seem to settle the nerves of Italy’s players and fans as Paige Westbrook followed by being walked to put another runner on first with two outs. With Tara Wallis battling at the plate, Westbrook stole second by sliding head first into the bag, way ahead of the throw. Wallis appeared to strike out but with Bosqueville’s catcher unable to secure the pitch, Wallis took off down the first base line and reached the bag safely while Westbrook made it to third.

Bosqueville was determined to catch Wallis and chased her around the bases with one overthrow after another. Westbrook took advantage and ran home to make the score 4-2 while Wallis held up at third to end the craziness. Hannah Washington lined out to second base for the third out but not before Italy’s offense had done some damage.

Lewis, who started the game on the mound for Italy, continued working on defense with Alyssa Richards catching Lewis’s mitt-popping pitches. Now in the top of the fourth-inning, Bosqueville’s first batter grounded out to Westbrook at third who threw to Katie Byers at first base for out number one. The second batter popup to second base where Bailey Eubank made the catch for the second out while Wallis in left field caught a fly ball to end the set.

With Italy up to bat, Morgan Cockerham battled her way to a walk but Italy’s next three batters lined out to short, flied out to second and grounded out back to the mound. Bosquevliie then switches roles with Italy and it’s the Lady Bulldog batters who begin to make things happen.

In the top of the fifth-inning, Bosqueville records two hits to put runners at second and third despite a pair of strikeouts from Lewis. After a hit batter loads the bases, a base hit by Bosqueville and a series of errors by Italy’s infield allows the Lady Bulldogs to tie the game 4-4. Another Bosqueville hit results in two more runs and a 6-4 Bosqueville lead before the next batter grounded out to Eubank at second who connected with Byers at first for the third out.

In the bottom half of the inning, Richards starts things off with a double followed by Lewis who singled. Italy’s next batter struck out swinging but that Wallis kid stirs it things up yet again with a single to score Richards from third, 6-5. Italy’s next two batters strike out to end the fifth.

Bosqueville was unable to counter against Lewis in the sixth while Italy’s offense reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the inning. M. Washington singled to get on base and was then moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Nelson. Richards is walked and then Lewis hits and reaches first on fielder’s choice play while M. Washington is forced out at third for the second out. Richards did score to tie the game 6-6. Britney Chambers is inserted into the game to pinch run for Lewis. Westbrook walks followed by another hit by Wallis to score Chambers, reclaiming the lead for Italy, 7-6. H. Washington walks and Cockerham hits but the pinging rip by the senior sets up a force out at second base for the third out.

Now in the top of the seventh-inning with the game still in doubt, Bosqueville’s first batter hits a grounder that is fielded by shortstop M. Washington who finds Byers at first base for the out. Bosqueville’s next batter gets on base by error but Lewis answers by striking out the next batter looking, two away. Bosqueville then blasts a double into the outfield to alter the course of destiny for Italy. They game is tied 7-7, and as the play continues, an error during the relay allows Bosqueville to storm ahead 8-7. Nelson catches a driving fly ball in centerfield for the third out to keep Italy within shooting range.

Hoping to win the game during their last at bat, or at the very least, send the game into extra innings, the first three Lady Gladiators batters are each denied a trip to the first base bag. Game two of the playoff round ends with Bosqueville holding on for the 8-7 win in a wild one. In doing so, Bosqueville ties the series 1-1 to force a game three after a 30 minute break between games.

Game three:
In game three, Lewis stayed on the mound for Italy while Bosqueville opted to make a pitching change. It would be the Lady Bulldogs who would strike first in the top of the second-inning to go up 2-0 on 2 hits. Italy countered in the bottom half of the inning when Wallis got on base. Wallis stole second, stole third and then slid home to get Italy on the board. Bosqueville was still in front 2-1.

Bosqueville pulled away and built a 6-1 lead going into Italy’s final at bat. Again, Italy had to at least tie in order to extend game three. And for a moment, it seemed like Italy was about to accomplish the improbable when M. Washington singled followed by Nelson who singled to put runners at first and second for Italy. Richards then made her approach to the plate and quickly send a towering shot to deep center field where Bosqueville made a brilliant over-the-shoulder catch at the wall to foil the sensational swat by the senior. Italy’s runners were unable to advance.

Lewis gets on base with a timely hit while M. Washington reaches third but Nelson is forced out at second, two away. Chambers pinch runs for Lewis. Westbrook singles to score M. Washington, 6-2. As the play continues, Bosqueville gets the third out on a clutch play at third base with Italy sliding in but not before the tag was made. And as quickly as Italy’s rally began, it ended…it ended on the sands in Hillsboro. Bosqueville survives to win game three 6-2, take the series two games to one, and claim the regional quarterfinal championship.

After a graceful congratulations was extended to the Lady Bulldogs from Italy, the Lady Gladiator players presented their Mothers with roses for Mother’s Day in a tear-jerking scene just outside the dugout. In the end, Bosqueville found magic. Next season, look for Italy to have a few surprises of their own. We Will Be Back!

Under the guidance of head coach Wayne Rowe, and assistant coaches Tina Richards and Michael Chambers, the Italy Lady Gladiators finished as an undefeated district champion with a 12-0 district record, were automatically bi-district champions, defeated Gorman in two games to claim the area championship and then finished as regional quarterfinalists.

Despite losing three talented seniors in Alyssa Richards, Morgan Cockerham and Katie Byers, Italy’s younger players received a ton of experience this season and have proven they can continue the winning tradition of Italy’s softball program for years to come. Italy Neotribune thanks Richards, Cockerham and Byers for their selflessness over the years to help ensure Italy’s old gold will always shine bright! The battles will continue and so will your legacies…

Italy Lady Gladiator 2013 Playoff Roster:

Manager: April Lusk

We love our ladies!

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