Gladiator Baseball scrimmages Leon at Loyd Davidson Field

Barry Byers Posted February 23, 2015 2:45pm Italy Gladiator Baseball

Image: Eli Garcia warms up at shortstop before the start of a scrimmage between Italy and Leon. — Eli Garcia warms up at shortstop before the start of a scrimmage between Italy and Leon. (Barry Byers)

Italy — Italy Gladiator Baseball welcomed the Leon Cougars to Loyd Davidson field for a friendly scrimmage.

For Italy, pitchers Kyle Fortenberry, Levi McBride, Ryan Connor and Eli Garcia each took a turn on the mound with Tyler Anderson and John Escamilla splitting time catching behind the plate.

Gladiator head baseball coach Jon Cady swapped his varsity and JV players throughout the scrimmage, rotating at least two players at every position. Assistant coach Brandon Ganske was also on hand for the scrimmage.

Late in the scrimmage, both sides evenly mixed their lineups to ensure every player got in the reps they needed.

Go Gladiators!

Italy’s Hunter Ballard starts the scrimmage against Leon at second-base. (Barry Byers)

John Byers readies at third-base to start the scrimmage against visiting Leon. (Barry Byers)

Before the first pitch, Gladiator head coach Jon Cady goes over the signal calls with catcher Tyler Vencill. (Barry Byers)

John Byers gives fellow senior Kyle Fortenberry a glove tap as Fortenberry takes the mound. (Barry Byers)

Italy pitcher Kyle Fortenberry starts off with the heat against Leon’s first batter. (Barry Byers)

Gladiator Levi McBride chases after a popup that is hit into the right field gap. (Barry Byers)

Junior Ryan Connor takes a turn at short and later throws a Cougar runner out on a play to first-base. (Barry Byers)

Levi McBride takes over on the mound for the Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Joe Celis warms up behind the dugout before entering the scrimmage. (Barry Byers)

David De La Hoya warms up behind Italy’s dugout. (Barry Byers)

Kyle Fortenberry covers some ground to make this catch in right field. (Barry Byers)

Tyler Vencill slides safely into second-base for Italy’s offense. (Barry Byers)

Clayton “Bruiser” Miller shakes off the sting after being nailed by a pitch. Bruiser wasn’t done yet and would later be hit by another pitch from the Cougars. (Barry Byers)

Italy senior Cody Boyd waits for an opportunity to steal second-base. (Barry Byers)

Kenneth Norwood, Jr. tries to make a play after a dropped third strike ball by the Cougars. (Barry Byers)

Ty Windham gets loose at second-base for the Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Nick Kirton warms up at third-base for the Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Gladiator Kyle Tindol puts the cool in school at shortstop. (Barry Byers)

Ryan Connor takes some reps from the mound for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Gladiator senior John Escamilla gets a lead from the first-base bag. (Barry Byers)

Italy’s Austin Crawford tries to “Shock-and-Claw” the Cougars. (Barry Byers)

Italy’s Garrett Janek hopes for a grounder at second-base. (Barry Byers)

Kyle Tindol tags a stealing Cougar out at second-base with teammate Garrett Janek backing up the throw. (Barry Byers)