Italy Gladiators take 3rd place in Blooming Grove baseball tournament

Image: The Italy Gladiators get their first win of the season to earn a 3rd place plaque during the 2014 Blooming Grove Baseball Tournament. Back row (L-R): Assistant coach Brandon Ganske, Kevin Roldan, Zain Byers, John Byers, Ryan Connor, Bailey Walton, Head Coach Jon Cady, Cody Boyd, Kenneth Norwood, Jr., Eric Carson and Assistant Coach Jackie Cate. Front row (L-R): Tyler Vencill, Tyler Anderson, Clayton Miller, Levi McBride, Ty Windham, John Escamilla and Kyle Fortenberry.

The Italy Gladiators get their first win of the season to earn a 3rd place plaque during the 2014 Blooming Grove Baseball Tournament. Back row (L-R): Assistant coach Brandon Ganske, Kevin Roldan, Zain Byers, John Byers, Ryan Connor, Bailey Walton, Head Coach Jon Cady, Cody Boyd, Kenneth Norwood, Jr., Eric Carson and Assistant Coach Jackie Cate. Front row (L-R): Tyler Vencill, Tyler Anderson, Clayton Miller, Levi McBride, Ty Windham, John Escamilla and Kyle Fortenberry. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ty Windham(12) face tags a Rice runner out at third-base.

Ty Windham(12) face tags a Rice runner out at third-base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Clayton Miller(6) almost does a full scorpion while diving back to the third-base bag.

Clayton Miller(6) almost does a full scorpion while diving back to the third-base bag. (Barry Byers)

Image: Levi McBride(1) makes a spectacular diving catch in right field to inspire his teammates.

Levi McBride(1) makes a spectacular diving catch in right field to inspire his teammates. (Barry Byers)

Image: Pitcher Ryan Connor(4) fields a grounder and then tosses the ball to first-base for an out against Kerens.

Pitcher Ryan Connor(4) fields a grounder and then tosses the ball to first-base for an out against Kerens. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ty Windham(12) proved he could beat Rice with his eyes closed as he hauls in a fly ball for an out.

Ty Windham(12) proved he could beat Rice with his eyes closed as he hauls in a fly ball for an out. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kevin “Big Agua” Roldan(16) swings away.

Kevin “Big Agua” Roldan(16) swings away. (Barry Byers)

Image: Zain Byers(5) executes a double-play with Kerens charged with obstruction.

Zain Byers(5) executes a double-play with Kerens charged with obstruction. (Barry Byers)

Image: Levi McBride(1) connects on a long ball to right field.

Levi McBride(1) connects on a long ball to right field. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Byers(18) leaps high to keep a ball from getting out of the infield.

John Byers(18) leaps high to keep a ball from getting out of the infield. (Barry Byers)

Image: Center fielder Eric Carson(3) makes a dazzling diving catch.

Center fielder Eric Carson(3) makes a dazzling diving catch. (Barry Byers)

Image: First-baseman Bailey Walton makes the catch to beat the runner for an out.

First-baseman Bailey Walton makes the catch to beat the runner for an out. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ty Windham(12) pitches with every fiber of his being.

Ty Windham(12) pitches with every fiber of his being. (Barry Byers)

Image: Eric Carson(3) tracks down a fly ball in center field and then…

Eric Carson(3) tracks down a fly ball in center field and then… (Barry Byers)

Image: …Carson throws the ball to first-base where teammate Bailey Walton makes the catch to pull off a double-play.

…Carson throws the ball to first-base where teammate Bailey Walton makes the catch to pull off a double-play. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ryan Connor(4) scoops up a ground ball while playing shortstop.

Ryan Connor(4) scoops up a ground ball while playing shortstop. (Barry Byers)

Image: Eric Carson(3) slides across home plate to score an Italy run.

Eric Carson(3) slides across home plate to score an Italy run. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kyle Fortenberry(14) sprints across the plate for an Italy run against Rice.

Kyle Fortenberry(14) sprints across the plate for an Italy run against Rice. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kevin Roldan(16) secures a ground ball and then steps on the first-base bag for the out.

Kevin Roldan(16) secures a ground ball and then steps on the first-base bag for the out. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Byers(18) has the attention of the Blooming Grove fans.

John Byers(18) has the attention of the Blooming Grove fans. (Barry Byers)

Image: Clayton Miller(6) leaps onto second-base in time to get the force out against Blooming Grove.

Clayton Miller(6) leaps onto second-base in time to get the force out against Blooming Grove. (Barry Byers)

Image: Levi McBride(1) and the Gladiators can finally taste victory against Rice.

Levi McBride(1) and the Gladiators can finally taste victory against Rice. (Barry Byers)

Image: Levi McBride(1) steals second-base against Rice.

Levi McBride(1) steals second-base against Rice. (Barry Byers)

Image: Pitcher Ryan Connor(4) tags a Rice runner out before the Bulldog can reach home plate.

Pitcher Ryan Connor(4) tags a Rice runner out before the Bulldog can reach home plate. (Barry Byers)

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