Gladiators improve to 9-0 in district with win over Itasca, Senior Night Friday

Image: Ty Windham(12) was on the mark against Itasca to help the Italy Gladiators improve to 9-0 in district play. Already the district champs, the Gladiators will try for the undefeated 10-0 mark on Friday against Frost before entering the playoffs where they have already secured a first-round bye and an automatic bi-district championship.

Ty Windham(12) was on the mark against Itasca to help the Italy Gladiators improve to 9-0 in district play. Already the district champs, the Gladiators will try for the undefeated 10-0 mark on Friday against Frost before entering the playoffs where they have already secured a first-round bye and an automatic bi-district championship. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy senior Eric Carson(3) was involved in a controversial play as he tries to bulldoze his way back to the first-base bag. Carson was ruled out but not before creating an interesting NEO-CAM sequence of images.

Italy senior Eric Carson(3) was involved in a controversial play as he tries to bulldoze his way back to the first-base bag. Carson was ruled out but not before creating an interesting NEO-CAM sequence of images. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Byers(21) covers a grounder hit down the third-base line and then throws across the infield to get a Wampus Cat runner out.

John Byers(21) covers a grounder hit down the third-base line and then throws across the infield to get a Wampus Cat runner out. (Barry Byers)

Image: Levi McBride(1) keeps the hits coming for the Gladiator Hitmen.

Levi McBride(1) keeps the hits coming for the Gladiator Hitmen. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Levi McBride(1) out races the throw to first-base.

Italy’s Levi McBride(1) out races the throw to first-base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Levi McBride(1) then slides safely into second-base(1) with Itasca struggling to slow the sophomore down.

Levi McBride(1) then slides safely into second-base(1) with Itasca struggling to slow the sophomore down. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bailey Walton(13) muscles a hit into the teeth of the Wampus Cat defense.

Bailey Walton(13) muscles a hit into the teeth of the Wampus Cat defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Zain Byers(20) tries for the left field pasture but comes up just a bit shy.

Italy’s Zain Byers(20) tries for the left field pasture but comes up just a bit shy. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Escamilla(7) pelts one into play for the Gladiators.

John Escamilla(7) pelts one into play for the Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kevin Roldan(16) helps warmup his pitcher Ty Windham.

Kevin Roldan(16) helps warmup his pitcher Ty Windham. (Barry Byers)

Image: Eric Carson(3) was in collection mode in centerfield after getting a glove under a few Wampus Cats popups.

Eric Carson(3) was in collection mode in centerfield after getting a glove under a few Wampus Cats popups. (Barry Byers)

Image: Shortsop Ryan Connor(4) secures a popup for an Italy out.

Shortsop Ryan Connor(4) secures a popup for an Italy out. (Barry Byers)

Image: After making the catch for an out to end the inning, left fielder Kyle Fortenberry(14) throws into shortstop Ryan Connor(4).

After making the catch for an out to end the inning, left fielder Kyle Fortenberry(14) throws into shortstop Ryan Connor(4). (Barry Byers)

Image: John Escamilla(7) is feeling good about his Gladiators and their ability to get the job done against Itasca.

John Escamilla(7) is feeling good about his Gladiators and their ability to get the job done against Itasca. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kyle Fortenbery(14) hits and then pushes to first-base.

Kyle Fortenbery(14) hits and then pushes to first-base. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Byers(21) brings in a couple of runners with his mighty swing.

John Byers(21) brings in a couple of runners with his mighty swing. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tyler Anderson(9) tries to beat the throw to first-base.

Tyler Anderson(9) tries to beat the throw to first-base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ryan Connor(4) rips a liner for a base hit against Itasca.

Ryan Connor(4) rips a liner for a base hit against Itasca. (Barry Byers)

Image: The speed of Eric Carson(3) turns a short hit into a single.

The speed of Eric Carson(3) turns a short hit into a single. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Escamilla(7) throws down to second-base to keep the skills sharp.

John Escamilla(7) throws down to second-base to keep the skills sharp. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bailey Walton(13) gets under a high pop-up at first-base. FYI, Bailey caught it!

Bailey Walton(13) gets under a high pop-up at first-base. FYI, Bailey caught it! (Barry Byers)

Image: Sophomore pitcher Ty Windham(13) recorded 4 strikeouts and Tyler Anderson recorded 6 strikeouts to help Italy get the win in Itasca.

Sophomore pitcher Ty Windham(13) recorded 4 strikeouts and Tyler Anderson recorded 6 strikeouts to help Italy get the win in Itasca. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bailey Walton(13) makes the snag at first to secure another out for Italy’s defense.

Bailey Walton(13) makes the snag at first to secure another out for Italy’s defense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Tyler “Diesel” Vencill(15) and his Italy Gladiator teammates are ready for any challengers. Swag status!

Tyler “Diesel” Vencill(15) and his Italy Gladiator teammates are ready for any challengers. Swag status! (Barry Byers)

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