Lady Gladiator junior Paige Westbrook(10) swoops in to catch a grounder as part of Italy’s warmup routine before challenging the Bosqueville Lady Bulldogs in the regional quarterfinals played in Hillsboro. (Barry Byers)
The Lady Gladiators get ready for war against Bosqueville. (Barry Byers)
First baseman Katie Byers(13) makes the grab on a slightly high throw to first base catching Bosqueville way short of the bag for an out. (Barry Byers)
Italy’s Madison Washington(2) came out swinging against Bosqueville. (Barry Byers)
Italy’s infielders consisting of Jaclynn Lewis(15), Paige Westbrook(10), Katie Byers(13), Madison Washington(2) and Bailey Eubank(1) want that third out. (Barry Byers)
Italy sophomore Hannah Washington(6) hits and runs her way onto first base. (Barry Byers)
Paige Westbrook(10) connects for a base hit against the Lady Bulldogs. (Barry Byers)
Run, Kelsey, run! Italy’s Kelsey Nelson(14) hits the ball and rumbles to first base for Italy. (Barry Byers)
Lady Gladiator head coach Wayne Rowe strategizes with Bailey Eubank(1).
Italy’s Bailey Eubank(1) hits the ball and then hurries to first base. (Barry Byers)
Italy’s Morgan Cockerham(8) battles at the plate with the game’s intensity picking up speed. (Barry Byers)
Lady Gladiator Morgan Cockerham(8) looks for a chance to reach second base. (Barry Byers)
Italy’s fans are at full force in Hillsboro to support the Lady Gladiators. (Barry Byers)
Senior catcher Alyssa Richards(9) works the strike zone for pitcher Jaclynn Lewis. (Barry Byers)
First base coach Michael Chambers tries to get Paige Westbrook(10) on second and Tara wallis(5) on first to advance around the bases. (Barry Byers)
Madison Washington(2) throws out a Bosqueville runner at first base with Katie Byers covering the bag. (Barry Byers)
Senior Morgan Cockerham(8) makes contact for Italy. (Barry Byers)
Italy’s Tara Wallis(5) fouls one off before hitting a single to get on base. (Barry Byers)
Lady Gladiator head coach Wayne Rowe tries to keeps his team on target after falling behind Bosqueville late in game two of the series. (Barry Byers)
One of Italy’s leading RBI hitters this season, Paige Westbrook(10), rips a hit toward Lady Bulldog defenders. (Barry Byers)
Bailey Eubank(1) attempts to slap hit her way onto base against Bosqueville. (Barry Byers)
Italy’s Jaclynn Lewis(15) tries to guide her Lady Gladiator teammates to a game two victory. (Barry Byers)
Italy junior Paige Westbrook presents her mother Angie with a rose for Mother’s Day as the two share a bittersweet moment following the Lady Gladiators’ exit from the playoffs at the paws of the Lady Bulldogs from Bosqueville. (Barry Byers)
Softball sisters: Following her final high school home game, Alyssa Richards(9) receives comfort from her siblings, little sister Brycelin Richards, and former teammate and big sister, Megan Richards. (Barry Byers)