Gladiator Baseball celebrates Senior Day with a win and a trophy presentation
Gladiator Baseball senior Kevin “Big Agua” Roldan(16) rejoices in the glow of Senior Day as proud, but flustered mom, Flossie Gowin, bravely escorts her son out for his final home game at Davidson Field in Italy. (Barry Byers)
Davidson Field, Italy — Senior Gladiators Bailey Walton(17), Tyler Anderson(11), Kevin Roldan(16) and Zain Byers(5) were honored before the game versus Frost as part of the Senior Day celebration before their final home game. Fellow senior Eric Carson(2) missed the game while representing Italy at the regional track meet in Abilene.
Anderson recorded 3 strikeouts while not giving up a hit in two innings of work, helping to build an early 3-0 advantage for the Gladiators before handing the reigns over to sophomore pitcher Ryan Connor. Connor showed great perseverance in battling his way out of tough situations and recorded 5 strikeouts before he was done in 4 innings of courage. Connor only allowed 2 hits and never relinquished Italy’s lead to secure the win for Anderson.
The Gladiators and their power packed hitters, known as the Hitmen, did the rest with Levi McBride recording his second home run of the season with a deep ball to centerfield. Unlike his first home run earlier in the season that cleared the fence, on Friday McBride made the magic happen for an inside-the-park four-baser.
Walton belted a triple, Connor had a double, John Byers had a double, John Escamilla had a pair of doubles with one slamming into the left field wall. Escamilla also had a base hit along with Roldan, Anderson and Kyle Fortenberry.
As hot as their bats were, it was Italy’s ability to get runners on base that played a huge factor in this one. The Gladiators were walked 10 times with Cody Boyd drawing 4 of those walks and 3 Hitmen, well, were hit by pitches. Zain Byers, Roldan and Connor each took one for the cause. Overall, the Gladiator Hitmen totaled 9RBIs in their 12-4 win over Frost to sweep their district competition with a perfect 10-0 record.
In all, the Gladiators are undefeated district champions, secured a first-round bye and an automatic bi-district championship with two games still remaining on the district schedule and are currently riding an 11-game win streak into the playoffs as a 1 seed. What a job done by this group of Gladiators to secure a second district title in back-to-back seasons for Italy High School!
Credit the Italy coaching staff with their ability to juggle the lineups and keep their pitching staff fresh and ready to go for each game. Plaid caps and hats off to head coach Jon Cady and assistant coaches Brandon Ganske and former Gladiator player Jackie Cate (’87).