Senate Resolution 24

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE COLUMBIA ACADEMY "COUGARS" BASEBALL TEAM AND COACH HEATH SMITH FOR THEIR FIRST MAIS AAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN 21 SEASONS.

WHEREAS, after dropping Game 2 in the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) State Tournament, Columbia Academy Coach Heath Smith turned to senior leader and pitching ace Wiley Cleland in Game 3. In his last game at Cougar Field, Cleland pitched his best game, striking out five en route to a complete game effort. Thanks to Cleland's performance, Columbia Academy defeated Central Hinds 61 to win the MAIS District AAA State Championship; and

WHEREAS, it is the Cougars' first State Championship since 1996. "It feels great," Coach Smith said. "It's surreal almost. You can't prepare for this moment. Can't stress enough, you don't know how great it's going to feel. It's something we want to build off with our program. We won it in 1996. We don't want to wait another 21 years"; and

WHEREAS, Cleland dominated early, overpowering Central Hinds with fastballs and timely change-ups. Columbia Academy struck in the bottom of the fourth thanks to a pair of home runs. Dylan Martin nailed the first, making it 30 Cougars. Then, two batters later, Logan Bullock blasted a tworun home run, giving Columbia Academy the fiverun lead. Columbia Academy tacked on another run after Wiley Cleland tripled and then scored off a passed ball. Cleland continued to dominate on the mound, despite giving up a run in the bottom of the seventh; and

WHEREAS, Coach Smith was proud of his team for bouncing back from the loss in Game 2. Columbia Academy finished with a 3211 record. He was also thankful to bring the school only its second-ever State Championship. "Senior leadership was huge," Smith said; and

WHEREAS, the Columbia Academy "Cougars" Baseball Team Championship Roster is: W. Cleland, SS, P; C. Thompson, 1B, P;

J. Gasquet, 3B, LF; R. Stuart, OF, LHP; S. Wilks, OF, RHP, 3B; R. Havard, C; P. Burge, 2B; P. Mattox, OF; C. Harvard, SS, P, UTIL; R. Pace, INF, RHP; L. McKenzie, RF, P; C. Thompson, 1B, RHP; H. Hartzog, C, INF; P. Rowell, 3B, OF; E. Stringer, LF, RF, RHP; C. Forbes, RHP; L. Bullock, 2B, RHP, UTIL; P. Gill, C, RF; D. Havard, OF, LHP; A. Thomas, UTIL, RHP; D. Martin, 3B, 1B; T. Duncan, LHP, OF, 1B; Head Coach, Heath Smith; Assistant Coaches Keith Stanley and Robert Marzoni; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize these student athletes who have brought honor to their school, their community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Columbia Academy "Cougars" Baseball Team and Coach Heath Smith for their first Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) AAA State Championship in 21 seasons, and extend our best wishes to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Heath Smith and Headmistress Angie Burkett, forwarded to the Board of Trustees of Columbia Academy, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.