Gladiator Baseball rallys late against 2A Rio but Eagles hang on for 10-7 win

Image: There’s no place like home. Gladiator catcher John “J.T.” Escamilla(12) is glad to be back in action, after recovering from a leg injury, in time for Italy’s season opener against RIo Vista.

There’s no place like home. Gladiator catcher John “J.T.” Escamilla(12) is glad to be back in action, after recovering from a leg injury, in time for Italy’s season opener against RIo Vista. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Kenneth Norwood, Jr.(5), slides safely into third after after hitting a two-run triple.

Italy’s Kenneth Norwood, Jr.(5), slides safely into third after after hitting a two-run triple. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kyle Fortenberry(14) returns to the plate after hitting a double against earlier in the game.

Kyle Fortenberry(14) returns to the plate after hitting a double against earlier in the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Eric Carson(2) and Italy Baseball head coach Jon Cady(11) discuss their options to get on base.

Eric Carson(2) and Italy Baseball head coach Jon Cady(11) discuss their options to get on base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator senior Eric Carson(2) bunts his way onto base.

Gladiator senior Eric Carson(2) bunts his way onto base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kenneth Norwood, Jr.(5) slides across home plate for an Italy run.

Kenneth Norwood, Jr.(5) slides across home plate for an Italy run. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator junior Kyle Fortenberry(14) smacks one high into centerfield.

Gladiator junior Kyle Fortenberry(14) smacks one high into centerfield. (Barry Byers)

Image: Pitcher Levi McBride(1) finishes of the game for Italy.

Pitcher Levi McBride(1) finishes of the game for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Kyle Fortenberry(14) makes catching a fly ball look easy in right field.

Italy’s Kyle Fortenberry(14) makes catching a fly ball look easy in right field. (Barry Byers)

Image: Manager Clay Riddle likes what he sees from the varsity Gladiators.

Manager Clay Riddle likes what he sees from the varsity Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kyle Fortenberry(14) backs up the play and then throws home to hold an Eagle runner at third base.

Kyle Fortenberry(14) backs up the play and then throws home to hold an Eagle runner at third base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Second-baseman Ryan Connor(4) fields a ground ball and then throws to first base for the out.

Second-baseman Ryan Connor(4) fields a ground ball and then throws to first base for the out. (Barry Byers)

Image: In his third season as a member of the Italy’s varsity baseball squad, John Byers(18) is an experienced leader for the Gladiators as he earns a walk late against Rio Vista.

In his third season as a member of the Italy’s varsity baseball squad, John Byers(18) is an experienced leader for the Gladiators as he earns a walk late against Rio Vista. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ryan Connor(4) works to get walked to put two runners on base for the Gladiators.

Ryan Connor(4) works to get walked to put two runners on base for the Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Escamilla(12) absorbs a pitch to the elbow with the game on the line.

John Escamilla(12) absorbs a pitch to the elbow with the game on the line. (Barry Byers)

Image: Coach Cady(11) coaches up Kenneth Norwood, Jr.(5), John Byers(18) and Ryan Connor(4) during the injury timeout.

Coach Cady(11) coaches up Kenneth Norwood, Jr.(5), John Byers(18) and Ryan Connor(4) during the injury timeout. (Barry Byers)

Image: Trailing 10-5, Levi McBride(1) drives in two runs for Italy after hitting a double.

Trailing 10-5, Levi McBride(1) drives in two runs for Italy after hitting a double. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Byers(18) crosses home plate and then turns and waves his teammate down to slide in behind him.

John Byers(18) crosses home plate and then turns and waves his teammate down to slide in behind him. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ryan Connor(4) slides into home to make the score 10-7 with Italy about to load the bases.

Ryan Connor(4) slides into home to make the score 10-7 with Italy about to load the bases. (Barry Byers)

Image: That’s Jorge Galvan(10) sliding safely into third base, just ask Coach Cady.

That’s Jorge Galvan(10) sliding safely into third base, just ask Coach Cady. (Barry Byers)

Image: Eric Carson(2) is walked to put three runners on base for Italy.

Eric Carson(2) is walked to put three runners on base for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Clayton Miller(9) is determined as he glares toward the mound at the Eagle pitcher.

Clayton Miller(9) is determined as he glares toward the mound at the Eagle pitcher. (Barry Byers)

Image: Both teams unite in a post game prayer.

Both teams unite in a post game prayer. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tyler Vencill(15) and his Gladiator teammates are primed to have a breakout season.

Tyler Vencill(15) and his Gladiator teammates are primed to have a breakout season. (Barry Byers)

Return to story