Lady Gladiators earn a few more patches for their letter jackets

Image: The 2010 Italy Lady Gladiators’ all-district selections — The 2010 Lady Gladiators’ softball team, regional quarterfinal champions and regional semi-finalists, fielded nine all-district performers this season, three of which were all-academic. Middle row: #10 Courtney Westbrook, #7 Alma Suaste, #18 Bailey Bumpus, #14 Drew Windham, #15 Cori Jeffords, #12 Alyssa Richards, #17 Megan Richards and #3 Anna Viers.

Several members of the 2010 Italy Lady Gladiators’ softball team received all-district accolades to cap-off an incredible season which included an exciting playoff run. The teams four hard working seniors, Meredith Brummett, Cori Jeffords, Courtney Westbrook and Drew Windham helped lead the Lady Gladiators out of district and into the regional semi-finals.

Lady Gladiators are Regional Semi-finalists; Blue Ridge advances

Image: Lady Gladiators get ready to take on Blue Ridge in game 3 — Cori Jeffords, Alyssa Richards, Megan Richards and Anna Viers are ready to play game three against Blue Ridge after the playing of the national anthem.

Forney — After tying the best of three regional semi-final series 1-1 with the 10th ranked Blue Ridge Lady Tigers on Thursday, the Italy Lady Gladiators stormed out of the dugout to take a 2-0 lead in Saturday’s game 3. Blue Ridge quickly countered to go up 3-2 and eventually ended the Lady Gladiators’ 2010 playoff run with a 12-7 win over Italy.

Game set: Italy vs. Blue Ridge Thursday in Forney for Regional Semi

Image: Lookout Blue Ridge! The Italy Lady Gladiators are on the hunt

The Italy Lady Gladiators (25-6) will play a best 2/3 series against the Blue Ridge Lady Tigers (25-8) at Warren Middle School in Forney for the regional semi-final championship. The two teams will play a double header on Thursday, May 20 starting with the first game at 5:00 p.m. followed by the second game at 7:30 p.m. The third game will be played on Saturday, May 22 at 12:00 p.m. if needed.

Lady Gladiators win game 1 of regional quarterfinal against Meridian

Image: Another out — Cori Jeffords(15) makes the stop and then throws to first baseman Drew Windham(14) for an out.

The Lady Gladiators haven’t been waiting a whole week to play this one. They’ve been waiting a whole year. After the Meridian Lady ’Jackets knocked Italy out of the playoffs last season during their regional quarterfinal matchup, head coach Jennifer Reeves, along with her assistant coaches Tina Richards and Andrea Windham, has been tracking this one on the calendar ever since.

Lady Gladiator Softball team needs your support tonight

Image: Fans Support Will Be Greatly Appreciated!!!

Tonight the Lady Gladiator Softball team plays in Italy at 7:00pm. They will not have face painters, nor will there be a hot-dog eating contest; but what there will be is a great game against a respected rival, the Hubbard Lady Jaguars. This contest will determine the top spot in the district. It is all on the line tonight. Please come and support your Lady Gladiators as they battle for #1.

Lady Gladiators dominate Dawson to remain in district hunt

Image: Cori & Casi — Sisters Cori and Cassi Jeffords did their part to help the Lady Gladiators overtake the Dawson Lady Bulldogs Friday in Dawson.

While it was “Stafford Night At The Ballpark” during the Gladiator baseball game back in Italy, it was “Lady Gladiators Night” at the ballpark in Dawson as Italy’s Darlings of the Diamond played softball toss, went slipping and sliding around the bases and participated in the loudest cheer challenge. The team even had a dugout dance contest with Coach Andrea Windham stealing 1st place.

Lady Gladiators battle the elements in Hubbard

Image: Struggling to focus — Alyssa Richards keeps her eyes closed as the sand gets stirred by the wind.

Softball — The Lady Gladiators fell prey to the Hubbard Lady Jaguars on Thursday in Hubbard 5-2. A minor setback as far as Coach Jennifer Reeves is concerned as the Lady Gladiators will now head to Frost to challenge the Lady Polar Bears on Tuesday, April 6 at 4:30 p.m. Fan support will be mandatory!

Lady Gladiators Rule School!

Image: Reeves and her team — Coach Reeves tells pitcher and catcher her new strategy.

There was a slight breeze at the IHS softball park on Thursday evening. It may have been a change in the weather or it could have been something new and exciting in the air-the winds of change. Lady Bulldogs fell prey to the JV Lady Gladiator bats, with an ending score of 8-7.

I doubted but now “I Believe”

I opted to get some extra hours in at work instead of making a trip to Hubbard on Tuesday night and frankly I messed up. To be real honest I figured I already knew the outcome of the game based on their last contest. I was wrong, dead wrong. Our Lady Gladiators defeated the Hubbard Lady Jaguars 7-3 in a contest that showcased Italy’s determination, desire and heart. Ladies, My apologies for ever doubting….“I Believe”.

Senior night at Lady Gladiator Softball Field

Image: Senior night photo opps — Seniors Angelica Garza and Blanca Figueroa take pictures with Head Coach Jennifer Reeves during the pre-game ceremony.

Due to necessary changes to the schedule, the Lady Gladiators will be on the road for the rest of the season. With that said, Tuesday was Senior Night for the Lady Gladiators. Seniors Angelica Garza and Blanca Figueroa were escorted onto the field by their teammates and presented flowers. After a few snapshots were taken it was all business the rest of the night.

Lady Gladiators cage the Wampus Cats in five

Image: Striking the Lady Gladiator pose — Catcher, Bailey Bumpus warms-up before the game.

The Lady Gladiators played the Itasca Wampus Cats on Friday evening. The game, scheduled to be played in Itasca, had to be played in Italy. Recent rains caused the Itasca softball field to be unplayable. Regardless of the location the Lady Gladiators took to the field ready to play.

Focused on the Playoffs

Image: Focus — The Lady Gladiators are doing all they can to keep their eye on the prize….the playoffs!

Last night the Lady Gladiator Softball team hosted the Covington Lady Owls in Italy’s first district softball game of the season. Our Ladies made short work of the game winning by run-rule in the 5th inning. The Lady Gladiators seemed to be “Focused on the Playoffs.”

Lady Gladiators come up short against Rice

Image: Make the stretch Cori! — Cori Jeffords (Junior), at first base, makes the stretch towards the throw.

The Lady Gladiators took to the field Friday night in a non-district game against the Rice Lady Bulldogs. In these two teams’ previous game the Lady Gladiators defeated Rice 5-3. This time…not so much. The final score in this contest was 7-0 in favor of the Lady Bulldogs

A Win for the Lady Gladiator Softball Team

Image: “Hey you, on two” — The Lady Gladiators took on the Rice Lady Bulldogs Monday night that resulted in a win for Italy!

Rice, Texas — Monday night the Lady Gladiator Softball team opened up their regular season in Rice. The Lady Gladiators took on the Rice Lady Bulldogs and came out of the game with a mark in the win column. The score at the end of 7 innings was Italy 5, Rice 3.