Italy’s 9U softball girls push Waxahachie to the limit in a championship duel

Image: Karley Sigler scores for Italy during a 9U coach pitch championship softball matchup against Waxahachie.

Karley Sigler scores for Italy during a 9U coach pitch championship softball matchup against Waxahachie. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Paige Little connects on the ball for a base hit.

Italy’s Paige Little connects on the ball for a base hit. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Ella Hudson eyes the pitch from Coach Ken Cate.

Italy’s Ella Hudson eyes the pitch from Coach Ken Cate. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Brianna Hall hits one over the Waxahachie’s infield.

Italy’s Brianna Hall hits one over the Waxahachie’s infield. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s, Kiara Bueno hits the ball hard and then heads for first base.

Italy’s, Kiara Bueno hits the ball hard and then heads for first base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Karley Sigler displays a proud grin with her and her Italy teammates playing at a high level in the championship game.

Karley Sigler displays a proud grin with her and her Italy teammates playing at a high level in the championship game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Third baseman, Cadence Ellis avoids a collision with pitcher, Emily Janek, to make the catch for an out against Waxahachie.

Third baseman, Cadence Ellis avoids a collision with pitcher, Emily Janek, to make the catch for an out against Waxahachie. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cheering on her pitcher is third baseman, Cadence Ellis, who is excited to see Emily Janek swoop in to catch a pop fly.

Cheering on her pitcher is third baseman, Cadence Ellis, who is excited to see Emily Janek swoop in to catch a pop fly. (Barry Byers)

Image: Desi Miller was outstanding as catcher for Italy.

Desi Miller was outstanding as catcher for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: That’s Karley Sigler getting under a popup and making the catch for an out against Waxahachie in the championship game.

That’s Karley Sigler getting under a popup and making the catch for an out against Waxahachie in the championship game. (Barry Byers)

Image: The fearless Evie South pops the ball into play for a base hit.

The fearless Evie South pops the ball into play for a base hit. (Barry Byers)

Image: Emily Janek reaches first but then slides down as she smiles up at her first base coach, Chris Ellis.

Emily Janek reaches first but then slides down as she smiles up at her first base coach, Chris Ellis. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cadence Ellis gets a hit and then speeds down to first base.

Cadence Ellis gets a hit and then speeds down to first base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kinley Cate scores a run for Italy!

Kinley Cate scores a run for Italy! (Barry Byers)

Image: Paige Little hurries to second base in the hopes of getting a force out against Waxahachie.

Paige Little hurries to second base in the hopes of getting a force out against Waxahachie. (Barry Byers)

Image: With her eyes closed, and teammate Desi Miller looking on, Italy’s pitcher, Emily Janek, makes the face tag on a Waxahachie runner trying to sneak home. Despite the hustle by Janek, Waxahachie’s runner was sent back to third.

With her eyes closed, and teammate Desi Miller looking on, Italy’s pitcher, Emily Janek, makes the face tag on a Waxahachie runner trying to sneak home. Despite the hustle by Janek, Waxahachie’s runner was sent back to third. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy shortstop, Kinley Cate makes sure her teammates know their is two outs to go.

Italy shortstop, Kinley Cate makes sure her teammates know their is two outs to go. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s, Brianna Hall reaches first base with Waxahachie unable to handle the throw.

Italy’s, Brianna Hall reaches first base with Waxahachie unable to handle the throw. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s third baseman, Cadence Ellis rushes over to console her teammate and shortstop, Kinley Cate, with a big hug after Cate was hit in the face with the ball.

Italy’s third baseman, Cadence Ellis rushes over to console her teammate and shortstop, Kinley Cate, with a big hug after Cate was hit in the face with the ball. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s, Karley Sigler makes the grab at first base for a key out late in the game.

Italy’s, Karley Sigler makes the grab at first base for a key out late in the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Alyssa Wiser reaches home plate to push Italy back in front of Waxahachie, 15-14, in the top of the fourth-inning.

Alyssa Wiser reaches home plate to push Italy back in front of Waxahachie, 15-14, in the top of the fourth-inning. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cadence Ellis gives Italy a 2 run lead, 16-14, over Waxahachie.

Cadence Ellis gives Italy a 2 run lead, 16-14, over Waxahachie. (Barry Byers)

Image: Making the tag for an out against Waxahachie is Italy’s third baseman, Cadence Ellis.

Making the tag for an out against Waxahachie is Italy’s third baseman, Cadence Ellis. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy pitcher, Emily Janek clamps down on a mini pop-up hit back towards the mound for an out.

Italy pitcher, Emily Janek clamps down on a mini pop-up hit back towards the mound for an out. (Barry Byers)

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