Gladiators win district opener 24-1 over visiting Grand Prairie Advantage

Image: Ty Windham(12) gets the win in Italy’s 2014 district opener against Grand Prairie Advantage Academy as the Gladiators coast to a 24-1 victory.

Ty Windham(12) gets the win in Italy’s 2014 district opener against Grand Prairie Advantage Academy as the Gladiators coast to a 24-1 victory. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s top defensive player in the game, shortstop Tyler Anderson(9), throws out one of several GPAA runners at first-base.

Italy’s top defensive player in the game, shortstop Tyler Anderson(9), throws out one of several GPAA runners at first-base. (Barry Byers)

Image: First-baseman Kevin Roldan(16) serves up several catches of the day for the Gladiators who were hungry for a win.

First-baseman Kevin Roldan(16) serves up several catches of the day for the Gladiators who were hungry for a win. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bailey Walton(13) and his Gladiator teammates kept the Eagles caged in.

Bailey Walton(13) and his Gladiator teammates kept the Eagles caged in. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kevin Roldan(16) and the Gladiators soar away with the win against the Eagles as Roldan comes off the bag to make the catch and then makes the tag for an out.

Kevin Roldan(16) and the Gladiators soar away with the win against the Eagles as Roldan comes off the bag to make the catch and then makes the tag for an out. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kevin Roldan(16) makes the tag after being pulled away from the first-base bag.

Kevin Roldan(16) makes the tag after being pulled away from the first-base bag. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Levi McBride(1) reaches third-base in time to beat the throw.

Italy’s Levi McBride(1) reaches third-base in time to beat the throw. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tyler Vencill(15) executes a textbook slide while going under the mitt for another Italy run.

Tyler Vencill(15) executes a textbook slide while going under the mitt for another Italy run. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Byers(21) pelted in 5 RBIs and crossed home plate 3 times.

John Byers(21) pelted in 5 RBIs and crossed home plate 3 times. (Barry Byers)

Image: Zain Byers(20) powered his way to 3 singles and a double while knocking in 5 runs and scoring 3 times.

Zain Byers(20) powered his way to 3 singles and a double while knocking in 5 runs and scoring 3 times. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kyle Fortenberry(14) celebrates reaching second-base.

Kyle Fortenberry(14) celebrates reaching second-base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tyler Vencill(15) gets one to drop down in the outfield for a base hit.

Tyler Vencill(15) gets one to drop down in the outfield for a base hit. (Barry Byers)

Image: Whammo! Ty Windham(12) sends the feathers flying after this monster drive into the Eagles’ outfield.

Whammo! Ty Windham(12) sends the feathers flying after this monster drive into the Eagles’ outfield. (Barry Byers)

Image: Shortstop, Tyler Anderson(9) plays a high ground ball and then throws to first-base for the out….again.

Shortstop, Tyler Anderson(9) plays a high ground ball and then throws to first-base for the out….again. (Barry Byers)

Image: Second-baseman Zain Byers(20) charges a grounder and then throws on the run to teammate Kevin Roldan for an out at first-base.

Second-baseman Zain Byers(20) charges a grounder and then throws on the run to teammate Kevin Roldan for an out at first-base. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Byers(21) scores a run and then turns to signal Bailey Walton to come home.

John Byers(21) scores a run and then turns to signal Bailey Walton to come home. (Barry Byers)

Image: Multitasking, Bailey Walton(13) scores a run, high-fives John Byers(18) and leaps over a bat.

Multitasking, Bailey Walton(13) scores a run, high-fives John Byers(18) and leaps over a bat. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cody Boyd(5) tries to lay down a bunt for the Gladiators.

Cody Boyd(5) tries to lay down a bunt for the Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ryan Connor(4) turns a practice catch into a highlight catch with Italy’s outfielders craving some action.

Ryan Connor(4) turns a practice catch into a highlight catch with Italy’s outfielders craving some action. (Barry Byers)

Image: Levi McBride(1) closes out the game from the mound while recording 3 strikeouts.

Levi McBride(1) closes out the game from the mound while recording 3 strikeouts. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tyler Vencill(15) helped Italy’s pitching staff get the job done against the Eagles.

Tyler Vencill(15) helped Italy’s pitching staff get the job done against the Eagles. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cody Boyd(5) steps on home plate for the fourth time against the Eagles.

Cody Boyd(5) steps on home plate for the fourth time against the Eagles. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator head coach Jon Cady(8) likes what he sees as Italy opens district with a 24-1 win over Grand Prairie Advantage Academy.

Gladiator head coach Jon Cady(8) likes what he sees as Italy opens district with a 24-1 win over Grand Prairie Advantage Academy. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Gladiators defeat Grand Prairie Advantage Academy 24-1 during Italy’s 2014 district opener.

The Gladiators defeat Grand Prairie Advantage Academy 24-1 during Italy’s 2014 district opener. (Barry Byers)

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