The Gladiators shutout Avalon 14-0 and improve to 2-0 in district play

Image: Italy catcher John Escamilla(7) gets down and dirty to make the tag for an out at home plate to secure a 14-0 shutout by the Gladiators over district rival Avalon.

Italy catcher John Escamilla(7) gets down and dirty to make the tag for an out at home plate to secure a 14-0 shutout by the Gladiators over district rival Avalon. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy sophomore Levi McBride(1) launches a ball well over the right field fence for an out-of-the-park home run.

Italy sophomore Levi McBride(1) launches a ball well over the right field fence for an out-of-the-park home run. (Barry Byers)

Image: Levi McBride(1) completes his home run lap with a leap onto home plate where his teammates were waiting to congratulate him.

Levi McBride(1) completes his home run lap with a leap onto home plate where his teammates were waiting to congratulate him. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tyler Anderson(9) makes some noise early with a single shot into Avalon’s outfield.

Tyler Anderson(9) makes some noise early with a single shot into Avalon’s outfield. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ryan Connor(4) turns on the jets as he rounds first-base.

Ryan Connor(4) turns on the jets as he rounds first-base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tyler Anderson(9) calls for a timeout after beating the throw to third-base.

Tyler Anderson(9) calls for a timeout after beating the throw to third-base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Kevin Roldan(16) keeps the Gladiator hits coming!

Senior Kevin Roldan(16) keeps the Gladiator hits coming! (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s John Byers(21) vies for some of the action at the plate with a sharp swing at an Eagle pitch.

Italy’s John Byers(21) vies for some of the action at the plate with a sharp swing at an Eagle pitch. (Barry Byers)

Image: Zain Byers(20) offers his cousin, John Byers(21), some love after “J.B.” scored a run.

Zain Byers(20) offers his cousin, John Byers(21), some love after “J.B.” scored a run. (Barry Byers)

Image: Zain Byers(21) singles in the early going for the Gladiators.

Zain Byers(21) singles in the early going for the Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kyle Fortenberry(14) is looking good while warming up between innings.

Kyle Fortenberry(14) is looking good while warming up between innings. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Tyler Anderson(9) throws to first-base for an out.

Italy’s Tyler Anderson(9) throws to first-base for an out. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator first-baseman Kevin Roldan(16) tags out an Eagle runner.

Gladiator first-baseman Kevin Roldan(16) tags out an Eagle runner. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ty Windham(12) hits a double for the Gladiator Hitmen.

Ty Windham(12) hits a double for the Gladiator Hitmen. (Barry Byers)

Image: Junior Gladiator Cody Boyd(5) leans toward third-base.

Junior Gladiator Cody Boyd(5) leans toward third-base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kyle Fortenberry(14) earns a walk for Italy.

Kyle Fortenberry(14) earns a walk for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: It’s going, it’s going….not quite. John Byers(21) just misses going yard when the ball drops down at the base of the centerfield fence for a double.

It’s going, it’s going….not quite. John Byers(21) just misses going yard when the ball drops down at the base of the centerfield fence for a double. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ryan Connor(4) tries to catch an Eagle runner nesting to far off the first-base bag.

Ryan Connor(4) tries to catch an Eagle runner nesting to far off the first-base bag. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tyler Vencill(16) slides back safely to the first-base bag after getting on base.

Tyler Vencill(16) slides back safely to the first-base bag after getting on base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ryan Connor(4) makes his approach from third-base as he prepares to race home.

Ryan Connor(4) makes his approach from third-base as he prepares to race home. (Barry Byers)

Image: Levi McBride(1) makes his way back to first-base but steals second on his next attempt.

Levi McBride(1) makes his way back to first-base but steals second on his next attempt. (Barry Byers)

Image: The versatile John Byers(18) can play all infield positions but left his mark in Avalon as shortstop.

The versatile John Byers(18) can play all infield positions but left his mark in Avalon as shortstop. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Ty Windham(12) makes the tag at second-base to end the game against Avalon.

Italy’s Ty Windham(12) makes the tag at second-base to end the game against Avalon. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior first-baseman Bailey Walton stands triumphant as the Gladiators improve to 2-0 in district play.

Senior first-baseman Bailey Walton stands triumphant as the Gladiators improve to 2-0 in district play. (Barry Byers)

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