Milford Bulldog catcher Bryan Fedrick exits a meeting at the mound and then returns to home plate with Frederick and his teammates hoping to grind out a win against Italy. (Barry Byers)
Jacarvus Gates(7) takes over at pitcher for the Bulldogs. (Barry Byers)
Ryan Connor(4) receives support from his infielders John Byers(21), Kevin Roldan(16), Tyler Anderson(9) and Zain Byers(20). (Barry Byers)
Gladiator catcher John Escamilla(7) hauls in a strike against the Bulldogs. (Barry Byers)
Milford’s Eric Evans(3) shows bunt but he’s wanting more. (Barry Byers)
Tyler Anderson(9) gets under a pop-up to make the catch from his shortstop position for the Gladiators. (Barry Byers)
Italy’s Ryan Connor(4) waits for the sign from catcher John Escamilla. (Barry Byers)
Gladiator third-baseman Tyler Vencill(15) leaps for the relay throw from his outfielders. (Barry Byers)
Milford’s Jacob Essary(4) tries to help his Bulldogs make a late inning surge. (Barry Byers)
Gladiator senior Bailey Walton(13) shows the skills at first-base. (Barry Byers)
Italy’s Kevin “Big Agua” Roldan(16) is looking to quench his thirst for a big hit. (Barry Byers)
Zain Byers(20) places a perfect bunt down the first-base line to move runners. Byers was called out for obstruction after being ruled to far inside the baseline. Teammates basically told Byers to go on a diet as he made his way back to the dugout with the Bulldog dugout chuckling on that one. (Barry Byers)
Milford’s Tyler Fedrick(9) enters the game as the third Bulldog to take the mound against the Gladiators. (Barry Byers)
Kyle Fortenberry(14) makes it look easy and has really been on a tear during Italy’s district championship run. Fortenberry is currently batting an amazing .600. (Barry Byers)
When John Byers(16) hits, people watch. The district’s home run leader, with two to lead the category, is denied this time by the Bulldogs but Byers will be turning heads soon at a plate near you. (Barry Byers)
Gladiator Cody Boyd(5) motors his way to third-base. (Barry Byers)
Bailey Walton(13) slides across second-base with Milford’s defense taking no chances. (Barry Byers)
Gladiator Tyler Anderson(9) with another dagger to pound the Bulldogs into submission. (Barry Byers)
Milford’s third-baseman Will Price(10) hurries in with an Italy batter showing bunt. (Barry Byers)
It’s a dirty job but somebody has to do it. Gladiator junior John Escamilla(7) has overcome injuries to be one of the top catcher’s in the district while having the best seat in the house to witness his Gladiators claim the championship outright with an 11-6 win over Milford. (Barry Byers)
Both towns unite in prayer after the Duel at the Dog Pound. Back in the day, many players from both towns played together thru the IYAA under the name Gladiadogs, in a season where they won a championship. (Barry Byers)
Former pee-wee teammates and friends, Italy and Milford’s players have enjoyed competing against one another this season with both towns back in the same district. Here Italy’s Bailey Walton(13), Kyle Fortenberry(14) and Zain Byers(20) congratulate Milford’s Jacarvus Gates(7) and his teammates. (Barry Byers)
Jacarvus Gates(7) checks one last time on his former coach from his pee-wee days, Italy Neotribune reporter Barry Byers, after a foul ball by Russell struck Byers in the left eye during the first district meeting between Italy and Milford. Earlier in the game, Russell said, “I wasn’t sure I could play again.” Byers said, “C’mon, Man, I didn’t stop taking pictures.” And with that, Russell headed to the plate with a smile on his face. (John Escamilla)