Caden Jacinto, Marvin Cox earn superlatives; Ward/Coffman Staff of the Year

Image: Gladiator Caden Jacinto, an Italy Senior, was named the district 14-A baseball’s Defensive Player of the Year for 2013. Jacinto also played shortstop when not on the mound and was a potent offensive weapon as well. The heart of the team, Jacinto led Italy to a district championship over rival schools Frost and Itasca with the Gladiators finishing as area champions.

Gladiator Caden Jacinto, an Italy Senior, was named the district 14-A baseball’s Defensive Player of the Year for 2013. Jacinto also played shortstop when not on the mound and was a potent offensive weapon as well. The heart of the team, Jacinto led Italy to a district championship over rival schools Frost and Itasca with the Gladiators finishing as area champions. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator senior, Marvin Cox, was named the district 14-A baseball’s Newcomer of the Year for 2013. Cox primarily played shortstop for Italy but was also in the pitching rotation and occasionally was the third baseman. A special talent, Cox was a reliable hitter and base runner playing a major role in helping the Gladiators win the district championship and finish as area champions.

Gladiator senior, Marvin Cox, was named the district 14-A baseball’s Newcomer of the Year for 2013. Cox primarily played shortstop for Italy but was also in the pitching rotation and occasionally was the third baseman. A special talent, Cox was a reliable hitter and base runner playing a major role in helping the Gladiators win the district championship and finish as area champions. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s 6’8" senior, Cole Hopkins, was named a 1st Team All-District Infielder in district 14-A after getting the job done whether he stood tall as a first baseman or as a third baseman. Hopkins was a reliable hitter this season as well, often getting on base during pressure-packed moments for Italy. Hopkins showed his strength at the plate when he hit one out-of-the-park for a home run in Avalon.

Italy’s 6’8" senior, Cole Hopkins, was named a 1st Team All-District Infielder in district 14-A after getting the job done whether he stood tall as a first baseman or as a third baseman. Hopkins was a reliable hitter this season as well, often getting on base during pressure-packed moments for Italy. Hopkins showed his strength at the plate when he hit one out-of-the-park for a home run in Avalon. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy senior, Reid Jacinto, was named a 1st Team All-District Infielder in district 14-A as a second baseman who was fearless when it was time to tag out runners trying steal his base. With a bat in his grip, Jacinto was just as determined as an offensive weapon and proved so when he went yard in Avalon for a home run.

Italy senior, Reid Jacinto, was named a 1st Team All-District Infielder in district 14-A as a second baseman who was fearless when it was time to tag out runners trying steal his base. With a bat in his grip, Jacinto was just as determined as an offensive weapon and proved so when he went yard in Avalon for a home run. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy senior, Chase “Ham-Bone” Hamilton, was named a 1st Team All-District Outfielder in district 14-A after playing the entire season at a high-level as the team’s center fielder. The muscle behind the mighty Gladiators, Hamilton was a force when batting and a skilled base runner as well.

Italy senior, Chase “Ham-Bone” Hamilton, was named a 1st Team All-District Outfielder in district 14-A after playing the entire season at a high-level as the team’s center fielder. The muscle behind the mighty Gladiators, Hamilton was a force when batting and a skilled base runner as well. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy junior, Kevin Roldan, was named a 1st Team All-District Outfielder in district 14-A after spending time in both left field and right field. Willing to hustle after hit balls and chase after fouls, Roldan could always see the opportunity in every challenge. Easy going by nature, Roldan turns into a mean machine at the plate as a long-ball hitter for the Gladiators with his most memorable shot clearing the fence for a home run in Avalon.

Italy junior, Kevin Roldan, was named a 1st Team All-District Outfielder in district 14-A after spending time in both left field and right field. Willing to hustle after hit balls and chase after fouls, Roldan could always see the opportunity in every challenge. Easy going by nature, Roldan turns into a mean machine at the plate as a long-ball hitter for the Gladiators with his most memorable shot clearing the fence for a home run in Avalon. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy junior, Tyler Anderson, was named a 2nd Team All-District Pitcher in district 14-A and will be a the main gun for the Gladiators next season. Anderson, is skilled when covering bunts and accurate when keeping opposing runners hugging first base. Anderson was a key figure in game two of Italy’s area championship win.

Italy junior, Tyler Anderson, was named a 2nd Team All-District Pitcher in district 14-A and will be a the main gun for the Gladiators next season. Anderson, is skilled when covering bunts and accurate when keeping opposing runners hugging first base. Anderson was a key figure in game two of Italy’s area championship win. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s sophomore slugger, John Byers was named Honorable Mention All-District as a Utility/Designated Hitter in district 14-A. Byers was consistent at the plate while rising to the challenge in big moments. Byers abilities were most evident in the playoffs where his RBI contributions helped propel Italy to an area championship win. Italy could only manage two runs in their regional quarterfinal matchup against Trenton but both runs were RBIs off the bat of Byers.

Italy’s sophomore slugger, John Byers was named Honorable Mention All-District as a Utility/Designated Hitter in district 14-A. Byers was consistent at the plate while rising to the challenge in big moments. Byers abilities were most evident in the playoffs where his RBI contributions helped propel Italy to an area championship win. Italy could only manage two runs in their regional quarterfinal matchup against Trenton but both runs were RBIs off the bat of Byers. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy freshman, Ryan Connor, was named a 2nd Team All-District Infielder in district 14-A after stepping up for the Gladiators in 2013 to fill a void. It didn’t take Connor long to make the position his own and truly show his abilities when he gunned down a runner trying to steal second base early in game one of Italy’s regional quarterfinal matchup against Trenton. Connor also proved he will be a consistent hitter for Italy over the next few seasons and has good speed on the bases.

Italy freshman, Ryan Connor, was named a 2nd Team All-District Infielder in district 14-A after stepping up for the Gladiators in 2013 to fill a void. It didn’t take Connor long to make the position his own and truly show his abilities when he gunned down a runner trying to steal second base early in game one of Italy’s regional quarterfinal matchup against Trenton. Connor also proved he will be a consistent hitter for Italy over the next few seasons and has good speed on the bases. (Barry Byers)

Return to story