Gladiators keep it close but Trenton wins game one of regional quarterfinal 2-0

Image: Italy fans cheer, wave flags and clang noise makers during a sendoff at Italy High School as Italy’s baseball team receives a police escort out of town courtesy of the Italy Police Department.

Italy fans cheer, wave flags and clang noise makers during a sendoff at Italy High School as Italy’s baseball team receives a police escort out of town courtesy of the Italy Police Department. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kelsey Nelson and Bailey Eubank make some noise for the Italy Baseball team as the Gladiators head to Forney for their regional quarterfinal matchup against Trenton.

Kelsey Nelson and Bailey Eubank make some noise for the Italy Baseball team as the Gladiators head to Forney for their regional quarterfinal matchup against Trenton. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Cole Hopkins(9) gets loose in the batter’s circle.

Senior Cole Hopkins(9) gets loose in the batter’s circle. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy sophomore John Byers(18) hits to get on base to start the top of the second-inning off with a bang.

Italy sophomore John Byers(18) hits to get on base to start the top of the second-inning off with a bang. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cole Hopkins(9) bunts his way to first base when Trenton’s pitcher slides in the grass and is unable to make a play on the ball.

Cole Hopkins(9) bunts his way to first base when Trenton’s pitcher slides in the grass and is unable to make a play on the ball. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cole Hopkins(9) gets a lead at first base.

Cole Hopkins(9) gets a lead at first base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Chase Hamilton(10) bunts his way onto the first base bag.

Senior Chase Hamilton(10) bunts his way onto the first base bag. (Barry Byers)

Image: Designated hitter Ty Windham(12), a freshman, commands the plate for Italy.

Designated hitter Ty Windham(12), a freshman, commands the plate for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy Baseball head coach Josh Ward huddles with his players.

Italy Baseball head coach Josh Ward huddles with his players. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior pitcher Caden Jacinto only allowed 5 hits to Italy’s 4 hits but that was enough for Trenton to get the 2-0 win.

Senior pitcher Caden Jacinto only allowed 5 hits to Italy’s 4 hits but that was enough for Trenton to get the 2-0 win. (Barry Byers)

Image: Infielders Cole Hopkins(9), Marvin Cox(3), John Byers(18) and Reid Jacinto(5) visit the mound in support of pitcher Caden Jacinto(2).

Infielders Cole Hopkins(9), Marvin Cox(3), John Byers(18) and Reid Jacinto(5) visit the mound in support of pitcher Caden Jacinto(2). (Barry Byers)

Image: Kevin Roldan(16) tracks down a ball at the base of the left field wall with teammate Caden Jacinto(2) getting into position to backup the relay throw from Roldan.

Kevin Roldan(16) tracks down a ball at the base of the left field wall with teammate Caden Jacinto(2) getting into position to backup the relay throw from Roldan. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s shortstop Marvin Cox(3) looks on as Caden Jacinto(2) leads the Gladiator charge from the mound.

Italy’s shortstop Marvin Cox(3) looks on as Caden Jacinto(2) leads the Gladiator charge from the mound. (Barry Byers)

Image: Trenton goes up 1-0 in the bottom of the second-inning.

Trenton goes up 1-0 in the bottom of the second-inning. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s John Byers(18) was a steady force for Italy as he made catch after catch to get several Trojan base runners out at first base.

Italy’s John Byers(18) was a steady force for Italy as he made catch after catch to get several Trojan base runners out at first base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Coach Ward gathers his guys in for a talk with Italy in a war with Trenton.

Coach Ward gathers his guys in for a talk with Italy in a war with Trenton. (Barry Byers)

Image: Freshman Ryan Connor(17), settles in at the plate.

Freshman Ryan Connor(17), settles in at the plate. (Barry Byers)

Image: Caden Jacinto(2) tries to make something happen for Italy.

Caden Jacinto(2) tries to make something happen for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy senior Reid Jacinto(5) prepares for the pitch.

Italy senior Reid Jacinto(5) prepares for the pitch. (Barry Byers)

Image: First baseman John Byers(18) makes the catch to get another Trojan runner out at his base.

First baseman John Byers(18) makes the catch to get another Trojan runner out at his base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy fans make some noise for their guys.

Italy fans make some noise for their guys. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Marvin Cox(3) battles at the plate for Italy.

Senior Marvin Cox(3) battles at the plate for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Trenton scores their their 2nd run in the bottom of the fifth-inning with Italy pitcher Caden Jacinto(2) unable to stop the Trojans from increasing their lead.

Trenton scores their their 2nd run in the bottom of the fifth-inning with Italy pitcher Caden Jacinto(2) unable to stop the Trojans from increasing their lead. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ried Jacinto(5) watches from the dugout with Cole Hopkins(9) just moments away from hitting a fly ball double into right field in the top of the fourth-inning.

Ried Jacinto(5) watches from the dugout with Cole Hopkins(9) just moments away from hitting a fly ball double into right field in the top of the fourth-inning. (Barry Byers)

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