The Gladiators’ JV and varsity boys on short end of bat against Maypearl

Image: Third-baseman Tyler Vencill(15) makes a play on the ball during Italy’s pre-district game against visiting Maypearl.

Third-baseman Tyler Vencill(15) makes a play on the ball during Italy’s pre-district game against visiting Maypearl. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator head coach Jon Cady gives a sign to his defense.

Gladiator head coach Jon Cady gives a sign to his defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator catcher John “J.T.” Escamilla throws out a Panther trying to steal second-base.

Gladiator catcher John “J.T.” Escamilla throws out a Panther trying to steal second-base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Shortstop John Byers(18) tags out a Panther runner trying to steal.

Shortstop John Byers(18) tags out a Panther runner trying to steal. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cody Boyd(10) tries to help his Gladiator teammates find a way against Maypearl.

Cody Boyd(10) tries to help his Gladiator teammates find a way against Maypearl. (Barry Byers)

Image: Levi McBride(1) stretches out before stepping into the batter’s box against Maypearl.

Levi McBride(1) stretches out before stepping into the batter’s box against Maypearl. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Ryan Connor(4) makes it back to first-base.

Italy’s Ryan Connor(4) makes it back to first-base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Eric Carson(2) makes it back to the first-base bag.

Italy’s Eric Carson(2) makes it back to the first-base bag. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Bailey Walton makes the catch at first-base to get a Panther runner out.

Italy’s Bailey Walton makes the catch at first-base to get a Panther runner out. (Barry Byers)

Image: Maypearl’s Brett Pickard slides back safely to first with Italy’s Bailey Walton defending. Pickard played summer league baseball with the Gladiators in the past.

Maypearl’s Brett Pickard slides back safely to first with Italy’s Bailey Walton defending. Pickard played summer league baseball with the Gladiators in the past. (Barry Byers)

Image: Pitcher Tyler Anderson(11) covers a grounder and then looks to throw to second.

Pitcher Tyler Anderson(11) covers a grounder and then looks to throw to second. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator catcher John Escamilla covers a bunt and then lets the grass fly as he throws to first-base.

Gladiator catcher John Escamilla covers a bunt and then lets the grass fly as he throws to first-base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tyler Anderson(11) keeps working from the mound(11) for the Gladiators.

Tyler Anderson(11) keeps working from the mound(11) for the Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ryan Connor(4) takes over on the mound for Italy.

Ryan Connor(4) takes over on the mound for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Byers(18) hits one deep into centerfield but the Panthers track it down and make the catch.

John Byers(18) hits one deep into centerfield but the Panthers track it down and make the catch. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior buds Kevin Roldan(16) and Zain Byers(5) keep their teammates fired-up.

Senior buds Kevin Roldan(16) and Zain Byers(5) keep their teammates fired-up. (Barry Byers)

Image: Baseball in Italy, Texas: Kyle Fortenberry(14) ices the shoulder while relaxing in a pair of boots.

Baseball in Italy, Texas: Kyle Fortenberry(14) ices the shoulder while relaxing in a pair of boots. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Gladiator Hunter Ballard(1) throws to first-base.

JV Gladiator Hunter Ballard(1) throws to first-base. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Gladiator shortstop Clayton Miller(6) flings the ball to first-base.

JV Gladiator shortstop Clayton Miller(6) flings the ball to first-base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kenneth Norwood, Jr., hustles after a ball for the JV Gladiators.

Kenneth Norwood, Jr., hustles after a ball for the JV Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Eli Garcia(3) backs up teammate Mason Womack(4) as Womack hurries the ball in against Maypearl.

Eli Garcia(3) backs up teammate Mason Womack(4) as Womack hurries the ball in against Maypearl. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Gladiator Jorge Galvan makes his pitching debut against Maypearl and opens with a first pitch strike.

JV Gladiator Jorge Galvan makes his pitching debut against Maypearl and opens with a first pitch strike. (Barry Byers)

Image: JV Gladiator Colin Newman(18) takes the mound for the first time and strikes-out his first and only batter of the game.

JV Gladiator Colin Newman(18) takes the mound for the first time and strikes-out his first and only batter of the game. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tristen Cotten and Austin Crawford congratulate teammate Colin Newman(18) after Newman recorded his first career strikeout. Maypearl’s JV won the war but Italy’s boys won a few battles along the way.

Tristen Cotten and Austin Crawford congratulate teammate Colin Newman(18) after Newman recorded his first career strikeout. Maypearl’s JV won the war but Italy’s boys won a few battles along the way. (Barry Byers)

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