Gladiator stand 2-2 in district standings with plenty of baseball still to play

Image: Senior Gladiator John Escamilla(7) warms up before Italy’s district duel against Frost.

Senior Gladiator John Escamilla(7) warms up before Italy’s district duel against Frost. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Clayton Miller(6) prepares for the clash with Frost.

Italy’s Clayton Miller(6) prepares for the clash with Frost. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Colin Newman(16) stays at the ready for the Gladiators.

Senior Colin Newman(16) stays at the ready for the Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Gladiators John Byers(18) is almost as handsome as his uncle.

Senior Gladiators John Byers(18) is almost as handsome as his uncle. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jorge Galvan(11) takes some reps at second-base before Italy’s game against Frost.

Jorge Galvan(11) takes some reps at second-base before Italy’s game against Frost. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator third-baseman John Byers(18) tosses the ball to teammate Tyler Vencill(18) at first-base during pregame warm ups, with the Polar Bears peering from the sideline.

Gladiator third-baseman John Byers(18) tosses the ball to teammate Tyler Vencill(18) at first-base during pregame warm ups, with the Polar Bears peering from the sideline. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lead-off hitter Levi McBride(1) is ready to put it all on the line for the Gladiators.

Lead-off hitter Levi McBride(1) is ready to put it all on the line for the Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cody Boyd(5) hustles to first-base after earning his first of two walks in the game against Frost.

Cody Boyd(5) hustles to first-base after earning his first of two walks in the game against Frost. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior slugger John Byers(18) connects on a Polar Bear pitch.

Senior slugger John Byers(18) connects on a Polar Bear pitch. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Ty Windham(12) is enthusiastic while playing shortstop.

Gladiator Ty Windham(12) is enthusiastic while playing shortstop. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator catcher John Escamilla(7) pulls in a strike three pitch from his pitcher Ryan Connor.

Gladiator catcher John Escamilla(7) pulls in a strike three pitch from his pitcher Ryan Connor. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator pitcher Ryan Connor(4) covers first-base to beat the Frost runner for an Italy out.

Gladiator pitcher Ryan Connor(4) covers first-base to beat the Frost runner for an Italy out. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s John Escamilla(7) down the first-base line after hitting the ball into play against the Polar Bear defense. Escamilla would later hit a double.

Italy’s John Escamilla(7) down the first-base line after hitting the ball into play against the Polar Bear defense. Escamilla would later hit a double. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Gladiator swatter Kyle Fortenberry(14) rips a single into the Frost outfield. Fortenberry would later hit a double.

Senior Gladiator swatter Kyle Fortenberry(14) rips a single into the Frost outfield. Fortenberry would later hit a double. (Barry Byers)

Image: First-base coach Jackie Cate instructs Kyle Fortenberry(14) to turn and look around first-base.

First-base coach Jackie Cate instructs Kyle Fortenberry(14) to turn and look around first-base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s Kyle Fortenberry(14) steals second-base with ease.

Italy’s Kyle Fortenberry(14) steals second-base with ease. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Clayton Miller(6) beats the Frost pitcher to the first-base bag, “Safe!”

Gladiator Clayton Miller(6) beats the Frost pitcher to the first-base bag, “Safe!” (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Ty Windham(12) awaits the pitch as mom, Andi Windham, bites her nails.

Gladiator Ty Windham(12) awaits the pitch as mom, Andi Windham, bites her nails. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator senior Tyler Vencill(15) tries to catch the ball in time to stop a Frost runner from sliding safely across the first-base bag.

Gladiator senior Tyler Vencill(15) tries to catch the ball in time to stop a Frost runner from sliding safely across the first-base bag. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ryan Connor(4) started the game from the mound for the Gladiators recording 4 strikeouts.

Ryan Connor(4) started the game from the mound for the Gladiators recording 4 strikeouts. (Barry Byers)

Image: After a diving effort, senior right fielder Cody Boyd(5) bounds to his feet, collects the ball and relays it in.

After a diving effort, senior right fielder Cody Boyd(5) bounds to his feet, collects the ball and relays it in. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy pitcher Ryan Connor(4) and catcher John Escamilla team up to tag a Frost runner out who tried to steel home.

Italy pitcher Ryan Connor(4) and catcher John Escamilla team up to tag a Frost runner out who tried to steel home. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy’s John Byers(18) with a great snag to hold the Frost runner at third-base.

Italy’s John Byers(18) with a great snag to hold the Frost runner at third-base. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator Levi McBride(1) makes a sliding catch for an out in centerfield. Awesome!

Gladiator Levi McBride(1) makes a sliding catch for an out in centerfield. Awesome! (Barry Byers)

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