Lady Gladiator Softball is well prepared for district opener against Frost

Barry Byers Posted March 20, 2015 2:00pm Lady Gladiator Softball

Image: Senior pitcher Jaclynn Lewis(15) was on the mound against visiting Mildred. The Lady Gladiators have been hard at work in preparation for their district opener against Frost. — Senior pitcher Jaclynn Lewis(15) was on the mound against visiting Mildred. The Lady Gladiators have been hard at work in preparation for their district opener against Frost. (Barry Byers)

Italy — It’s been a busy couple of weeks for Lady Gladiator Softball, head coach Tina Richards and assistant coaches Johnny Jones and Michael Chambers. Italy is gaining valuable live game experience versus bigger schools that should have them ready to make a run at the district title and beyond starting today.

A quick recap:
Perhaps having a bit of an emotional let down coming over their 1st place finish in the Tournament of Champions in Woodsboro, the Lady Gladiators dug themselves a hole early in the contest against visiting Mildred. Mildred led 6-1 when Italy loaded the bases but that was the last solid chance for the girls in gold and gray to get back in it. Mildred continued to pull away and eventually won 10-2.

The Lady Gladiators then competed in the Brentwood tournament in Austin finishing in 3rd place. Not bad when you consider Italy was without senior pitcher Jaclynn Lewis who had a schedule conflict. In her absence, freshmen pitchers Brycelen Richards and Jenna Holden carried the load to help Italy win 3-out of-5 games, 11-7 over St. Anthony, 6-4 over Savio and 7-4 over Pflugerville Connally.

The Lady Gladiators returned home to Johnny Jones Field to take on the defending TAPPS state champions in Waco Reicher. The game was fairly close but it was the Lady Cougars winning in the end, 7-1.

Regrouping in time for the Grandview tournament Thursday morning, the Lady Gladiators defeated the Whitney Wildcats in round 1 (3-0) and then beat former 3A State Champion Celina 2-1 in round 2 (2-1).

Italy will open district play today, Friday , March 20, against rival Frost and then return to Grandview on Saturday to finish what they started.

Today’s district game against Frost will begin 4:30 p.m.

Images of the Lady Gladiators in action against Mildred are included with this article. Enjoy!

Go Lady Gladiators!

Lady Gladiator catcher Lillie Perry attacks a bunt attempt from Mildred. (Barry Byers)

Britney Chambers has been making a name for herself, earning the nickname, “Allstate,” after making a series of clutch catches in right field over the past couple of weeks. (Barry Byers)

Italy shortstop April Lusk(7) secures a grounder and then throws to first-base for an out against Mildred. (Barry Byers)

Lady Gladiator Bailey Eubank(1) scrambles to third-base with her trademark cowgirl gloves on. (Barry Byers)

Bailey Eubank(1) scores the first run for Italy to get the Lady Gladiators on the board against Mildred. (Barry Byers)

Italy senior Madison Washington(10) slides in to beat the throw at second-base. (Barry Byers)

Lady Gladiator Madison Washington(10) steals third-base with Italy trying to catch Mildred from behind. (Barry Byers)

Jaclynn Lewis(15) covers a grounder hit to the mound and throws for the out at first-base. Lewis also made a diving catch for an out near the mound later in the contest. (Barry Byers)

Freshman first-baseman Brycelen Richards snags the throw from her pitcher, Jaclynn Lewis, for an Italy out. (Barry Byers)

Lady Gladiator third-baseman Hannah Washington(8) fields a grounder in the slippery sands. (Barry Byers)

Italy catcher Lillie Perry(9) reacts to a popup behind the plate against Mildred. (Barry Byers)

Lady Gladiator senior Tara Wallis(5) says, “Thank you very much,” as she lofts one up and over Mildred’s infield. (Barry Byers)

Lady Gladiator April Lusk(7) bunts and runs extremely fast to first-base. (Barry Byers)

Italy’s Jaclynn Lewis(15) slides safely into second-base to beat Mildred’s tag. (Barry Byers)

Lady Gladiator Bailey Eubank(1) warms up at second-base between innings. (Barry Byers)

Hannah Washington(8) stays loose at third-base with Italy’s game against Mildred coming down to the end. (Barry Byers)

Right fielder Tara Wallis(5) shoots the ball to first-base in hopes of slowing down Mildred’s offensive attack. (Barry Byers)

Bailey Eubank(1) hits the ball into play for the Lady Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Britney Chambers(4) is poised and confident at the plate for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Lady Gladiator Lillie Perry(9) crushes a ball into the Mildred outfield. (Barry Byers)

Lady Gladiator senior Kelsey Nelson(14) connects on a Mildred pitch. (Barry Byers)

Lady Gladiator Jenna holden(11) takes a practice swing before going to the plate against Mildred. (Barry Byers)

Madison Washington(10) rockets one deep into centerfield but Mildred makes a brilliant above-the-head catch to end the contest. It did prove that teams will need to play their best against Italy if they hope to have a sliver of a chance to stop the Lady Gladiators in 2015. (Barry Byers)