Gladiators post second district shutout, 9-0 over Itasca during White Out day

Image: With Itasca walking off in defeat, Zain Byers(5) and Italy Baseball head coach Jon Cady celebrate their second district shutout with a 9-0 win over the Wampus Cats. Italy improves to 4-0 in district play.

With Itasca walking off in defeat, Zain Byers(5) and Italy Baseball head coach Jon Cady celebrate their second district shutout with a 9-0 win over the Wampus Cats. Italy improves to 4-0 in district play. (Barry Byers)

Image: IYAA baseball star Kinley Whatley(3) is named Gladiator Baseball’s honorary coach of the game as Italy celebrates White Out day against Itasca. Joining Whatley in waving to the home fans is senior Gladiator Bailey Walton(17).

IYAA baseball star Kinley Whatley(3) is named Gladiator Baseball’s honorary coach of the game as Italy celebrates White Out day against Itasca. Joining Whatley in waving to the home fans is senior Gladiator Bailey Walton(17). (Barry Byers)

Image: Christopher Cryer(13) representing the Italy Youth Athletic Association, throws out the ceremonial first pitch to junior Gladiator catcher John Escamilla(7). Cristopher is also pictured with his proud mom, Jaime McMillon.

Christopher Cryer(13) representing the Italy Youth Athletic Association, throws out the ceremonial first pitch to junior Gladiator catcher John Escamilla(7). Cristopher is also pictured with his proud mom, Jaime McMillon. (Barry Byers)

Image: IYAA President Charles Hyles (6’,4", white hat in the center. Really, you can’t miss him) poses with his players and coaches that were on hand to represent Italy’s local you sports organization.

IYAA President Charles Hyles (6’,4", white hat in the center. Really, you can’t miss him) poses with his players and coaches that were on hand to represent Italy’s local you sports organization. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tatum Adams and Cassidy Gage visit before the start of the game between Italy and Itasca.

Tatum Adams and Cassidy Gage visit before the start of the game between Italy and Itasca. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Levi McBride(1) hits his way onto base to get the action started.

Italy’s Levi McBride(1) hits his way onto base to get the action started. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator junior John Byers(18) makes history in the first-inning with a 3 run inside the park homerun shot to center, putting the first runs up on Loyd Davidson Field’s new scoreboard.

Gladiator junior John Byers(18) makes history in the first-inning with a 3 run inside the park homerun shot to center, putting the first runs up on Loyd Davidson Field’s new scoreboard. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tyler Anderson(11) motors from second-base to third and then to home.

Tyler Anderson(11) motors from second-base to third and then to home. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Byers(18) turns around third-base and heads home as he gets the green light from head coach Jon Cady to go for it.

John Byers(18) turns around third-base and heads home as he gets the green light from head coach Jon Cady to go for it. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Byers(18) is congratulated by his teammates after finishing his homerun lap for the history books. Levi McBride(1) was the first official run up on the new scoreboard followed by Tyler Anderson(11).

John Byers(18) is congratulated by his teammates after finishing his homerun lap for the history books. Levi McBride(1) was the first official run up on the new scoreboard followed by Tyler Anderson(11). (Barry Byers)

Image: Ty Windham(12) begins the dismantling process of Itasca’s batting lineup. Windham recorded 9 strikeouts, 1 walk, 0 hits and 0 runs allowed.

Ty Windham(12) begins the dismantling process of Itasca’s batting lineup. Windham recorded 9 strikeouts, 1 walk, 0 hits and 0 runs allowed. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ty Windham(12) delivers one of his 13 first pitch strikes.

Ty Windham(12) delivers one of his 13 first pitch strikes. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tyler Anderson(11) straightens his helmet in preparation for a play at the plate.

Tyler Anderson(11) straightens his helmet in preparation for a play at the plate. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sophomore Ryan Connor(4) checks for the signal.

Sophomore Ryan Connor(4) checks for the signal. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tyler Anderson(11) avoids the tag after reaching home plate via a wild pitch. Mom, Amy Anderson, loves it and so does Jason Escamilla with a fist pump behind the fence.

Tyler Anderson(11) avoids the tag after reaching home plate via a wild pitch. Mom, Amy Anderson, loves it and so does Jason Escamilla with a fist pump behind the fence. (Barry Byers)

Image: Junior Gladiator John Escamilla(7) gets on base with a single.

Junior Gladiator John Escamilla(7) gets on base with a single. (Barry Byers)

Image: Brandon Gansky gives Kyle Fortenberry(14) one last look after Fortenberry caught a ball with his face.

Brandon Gansky gives Kyle Fortenberry(14) one last look after Fortenberry caught a ball with his face. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Escamilla(7) puts on the brakes down the third base line.

John Escamilla(7) puts on the brakes down the third base line. (Barry Byers)

Image: Wounded, weary but happy, Kyle Fortenberry(14) makes it across home plate where he is congratulated by Levi McBride(1).

Wounded, weary but happy, Kyle Fortenberry(14) makes it across home plate where he is congratulated by Levi McBride(1). (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Eric Carson(2) takes a ball four to get on base.

Senior Eric Carson(2) takes a ball four to get on base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Levi McBride(1) unwillingly slows up to play it safe down the third-base line.

Levi McBride(1) unwillingly slows up to play it safe down the third-base line. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Byers(18) flashes a bit of a grin as the end of the game draws near.

John Byers(18) flashes a bit of a grin as the end of the game draws near. (Barry Byers)

Image: With the game called in the fifth-inning after Italy run-ruled Itasca 10-0, Kyle Fortenberry(14), Kevin Roldan(16), Tyler Vencill(15) and Cody Boyd(10) display sportsmanship across the mound.

With the game called in the fifth-inning after Italy run-ruled Itasca 10-0, Kyle Fortenberry(14), Kevin Roldan(16), Tyler Vencill(15) and Cody Boyd(10) display sportsmanship across the mound. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Gladiators turned their White Out day into a shutout night, 10-0 over the Wampus Cats. Italy improves to 4-0 in district play with the win.

The Gladiators turned their White Out day into a shutout night, 10-0 over the Wampus Cats. Italy improves to 4-0 in district play with the win. (Barry Byers)

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