Italy Baseball celebrates Senior Day 2013 with a win and share of district title

Barry Byers Posted April 23, 2013 5:00pm Additional Images

Image: Italy Gladiator John “Squirt” Hughes(6-gun) is recognized on Senior Day 2013. — Italy Gladiator John “Squirt” Hughes(6-gun) is recognized on Senior Day 2013. (Barry Byers)

Italy — The Italy Gladiators (8-1 in district) get a key win over Waxahachie Faith Family to ensure at least a share of the district championship during Senior Day 2013 at Italy’s Davison Field. Seniors Chase “Ham-Bone” Hamilton, John “Squirt” Hughes, Caden Jacinto, Reid Jacinto, Marvin Cox, Hayden Woods and Cole Hopkins each scored during Italy’s 10-4 win. With a win over Avalon on Thursday, April 25, starting at 4:30 p.m. in Avalon, the Gladiators could claim the district championship outright in what will be their final district game.

Congratulations Seniors! Good luck in the Playoffs!!

Go Italy!

Balloons! Their Balloons!! Gladiators John Byers(18) and Tyler Anderson(11) are easily distracted before the start of the game but focus-in in time to beat the Eagles. (Barry Byers)

Stepping up to the plate is junior Kevin Roldan(16) who blasted in 4 RBIs off a pair of doubles for Italy against Waxahachie Faith Family. (Barry Byers)

Italy catcher Ryan Connor, a freshman, delivers the ball on the money to senior second baseman Reid Jacinto(5) who makes the tag against a Waxahachie Faith Family Eagle while senior shortstop Marvin Cox(3) backs up the play. (Barry Byers)

Italy senior third baseman Cole Hopkins(9) makes a tag on the beak of an Eagle runner for an Italy out. (Barry Byers)

Senior Chase Hamilton(10) bunts and then heads toward first base…. (Barry Byers)

….Chase Hamilton(10) reaches first base safely after executing a perfectly placed bunt. (Barry Byers)

Italy senior Hayden Woods(8) connects on the ball and heads toward first base. (Barry Byers)

Sophomore John Byers(18) slides safely into home beating the throw. (Barry Byers)

Freshman, Ryan Connor(17), sends the ball down the third base line. (Barry Byers)

Aggressive senior Chase Hamilton(10) takes a chance and then slides into home but Waxahachie’s defense make’s the play for the out. No guts—no glory! (Barry Byers)

Italy’s hustling freshman catcher Ryan Connor(17) and senior pitcher Caden Jacinto(2) chase a pop-up down the first base line. (Barry Byers)

Pitcher Caden Jacinto(2) records 5 strikeouts and gets the Senior Day 2013 win; 10-4 over Waxahachie Faith Family. (Barry Byers)

Gladiator first baseman John Byers(18) secures the catch for another out at first for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Senior center fielder Chase Hamilton(10) makes a play on the ball. (Barry Byers)

Italy’s Caden Jacinto(2) slides into second beating the throw.

Italy sophomore John Byers(18) slides across home plate for another Italy run. (Barry Byers)

Sprinting home is Italy senior Chase Hamilton(10). (Barry Byers)

Waxahachie Faith Family holds Marvin Cox(3) on the first base bag respecting the senior’s speed. (Barry Byers)

Cole Hopkins(9) connects on the ball to help Italy to their seventh straight district win and an 8-1 district record. (Barry Byers)

Chase Hamilton(10) earns a walk and hustles to first. (Barry Byers)

Senior Caden Jacinto(2) and the Italy Gladiators stand atop the division and have a chance to win the district outright with a win over Avalon on Thursday. (Barry Byers)

Closing the deal: Senior Marvin Cox(3) and freshman catcher Ryan Connor(17) strategize to get the final strikeout to end Senior Day 2013 with Italy winning 10-4 over the Eagles. (Barry Byers)

Italy senior Marvin Cox(3) seals the deal from the mound. (Barry Byers)