MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2019 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Harkins, Browning, Moran, Jolly, Doty, Carmichael, Clarke, Jackson (15th), Younger, Blackwell, Burton, Dearing, DeBar, Fillingane, Jackson (32nd), Kirby, Massey, Seymour, Turner-Ford, Watson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY "BULLDOGS" BASEBALL TEAM AND INTERIM COACH GARY HENDERSON FOR WINNING THE 2018 NCAA TALLAHASSEE REGIONAL AND NASHVILLE SUPER REGIONAL WITH WALK-OFF MAGIC AND FOR ONE OF THE BEST SEASONS IN PROGRAM HISTORY.
WHEREAS, we join the Mississippi State University students, alumni and fans in celebrating the "Bulldogs" Baseball Team miracle run to the brink of the 2018 NCAA Championship Series; and
WHEREAS, a Mississippi State baseball season full of twists and turns saw its final chapter written on June 23, 2018. A late two-out rally by MSU fell just short in a 5-2 loss to No. 3 National Seed Oregon State in the semifinal round of the College World Series played at TD Ameritrade Park. MSU (39-29) fell to Oregon State (53-11-1) on back-to-back days in the event. The Bulldogs won five-straight postseason elimination games before falling to the Beavers; and
WHEREAS, the Bulldogs battled hard throughout the season overcoming an early coaching change and an abbreviated home schedule due to construction at Dudy Noble Field to finish 15-15 in Southeastern Conference play. In the postseason, the Bulldogs won the Tallahassee Regional and Nashville Super Regional with walk-off magic needed in both places. Overall, the Bulldogs won 11 times in their final at-bat this season. The walk-off magic continued in Omaha with MSU defeating Washington 1-0 on the first day of the tournament. A 12-2 win over North Carolina sent the Bulldogs 2-0 in Omaha for only the third time in program history. The magic ran out from there with Oregon State pitching, holding the Bulldogs to nine hits in two games. Oregon State set up the winner-take-all game with a 12-2 victory. Saturday's contest was decided when the Beavers scored five runs after there were two outs in the third inning; and
WHEREAS, this season eventually became one that those around the country became enthralled with, and that Mississippi State fans committed themselves to wholly. At its finish, it remains that way, an incredible journey and an unbelievable tale of which thousands witnessed the finale. This was a team that only reached the peak because it went to the depths of the valley first; and
WHEREAS, having led Mississippi State to its 10th College World Series appearance, Interim Head Coach Gary Henderson was named 2018 Perfect Game/Rawlings Coach of the Year. Henderson was elevated from the role of Assistant Coach on February 21, 2018, and has led the Diamond Dawgs to a 37-24 mark at the helm. Mississippi State started the season 14-15 overall and 2-7 in Southeastern Conference play, but turned it around at the start of April and since then was 23-12, along with a 10-1 mark against top-five teams. State began its NCAA Tournament run in the Tallahassee Regional and after dropping the opener to Oklahoma, rallied to win four-straight elimination games to claim the Regional and become the 23rd team in the current 64-team NCAA Tournament format to win a Regional after losing its first game. The Diamond Dawgs then faced off against Vanderbilt in the Nashville Super Regional and after each team took a game on a walk-off home run, State punched its ticket to Omaha, Nebraska, by claiming game three in 11 innings; and
WHEREAS, on the eve of making his first trip to the College World Series, Mississippi State Junior Jake Mangum was named to the 2018 ABCA/Rawlings South All-Region Second Team, the American Baseball Coaches Association announced. A native of Pearl, Mississippi, Mangum led the Diamond Dawgs in batting average (.353), runs scored (61), hits (97), doubles (21), total bases (133) and stolen bases (14). His 97 hits lead the Southeastern Conference and rank seventh nationally, while his 21 doubles also led the league and has him 28th nationally. Named to the SEC All-Defensive Team and All-SEC Second Team in May, the veteran outfielder had a team-best 13-game hitting streak and in that span averaged .407, with 18 runs scored, three doubles, one triple, three home runs and 16 RBIs; and
WHEREAS, the only Freshman to have started in all 61 of Mississippi State's games this season, Tanner Allen's season accolades continued to grow as he was named a Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. Allen was also the first Freshman All-American infielder for Mississippi State since Shortstop Brandon Turner in 2007. Having started 36 games at first base, Allen batted .302 on the year with 39 runs scored, 17 doubles, five triples, five home runs and 42 RBIs. A native of Theodore, Alabama, Allen had a strong offensive weekend at the Tallahassee Regional, supplying six hits, five of which were for extra bases to include three doubles and two home runs. Allen drove in five runs and scored five more in five games. After posting a 1.077 slugging percentage and a .571 on-base percentage during the last weekend of the regular season vs. Florida, Allen was named SEC Freshman of the Week on May 21, 2018; and
WHEREAS, less than 24 hours after seeing Mississippi State claim the Tallahassee Regional, Junior left-handed Pitcher Konnor Pilkington had his name called in the third round of the 2018 Major League Baseball Draft. Selected by the Chicago White Sox with the 81st overall pick in the third round of the MLB Draft, Pilkington became the 191st selection in MSU history, along with becoming the 146th Diamond Dawg to be drafted. Having served as Mississippi State's Friday-night starter over the past two seasons, the Preseason All-American and former USA Collegiate National Team member has tallied 97 strikeouts in 91.2 innings pitched in 2018. In 16 starts this season, the Junior has a 2-6 record and a 4.61 ERA. A native of Hurley, Mississippi, Pilkington is the first Mississippi State pitcher to be drafted since six Bulldog pitchers were taken in the 2016 MLB Draft; and
WHEREAS, the 2018 MSU "Bulldogs" Baseball Team Roster is: Zach Neff, LHP; Rowdey Jordan, INF; Tanner Allen, INF/OF; Luke Alexander, INF; Dustin Skelton, C; Jordan Anderson, OF; Josh Hatcher, 1B/LHP; Jordan Westburg, INF; Tanner Poole, OF; Hunter Stovall, INF; Riley Self, RHP; Jake Mangum, OF; Justin Foscue, INF; Keegan James, RHP; Jared Liebelt, RHP; Denver McQuary, RHP/INF; Alex Pener, 1B; Cole Gordon, RHP; Zane Stephens, RHP; JP France, RHP; James Basham, C; Cole Marsh, RHP; Hunter Vansau, OF; Marshall Gilbert, C; Elijah MacNamee, OF/1B; Graham Ashcraft, RHP; Blake Smith, RHP; Kale Breaux, LHP; Ethan Small, LHP; Jacob Billingsley, RHP; Trysten Barlow, LHP; Konnor Pilkington, LHP; and Spencer Price, RHP; Interim Head Coach Gary Henderson; Assistant Coaches Jake Gautreau and Mike Brown; Camps Coordinator/Volunteer Assistant A.J. Gaura; and Coordinator of Baseball Operations Trevor Fitts; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we join the Mississippi State University students and alumni in recognizing these outstanding amateur athletes who have brought honor to their university, their community and to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Mississippi State University "Bulldogs" Baseball Team and Interim Coach Gary Henderson for winning the 2018 NCAA Tallahassee Regional and Nashville Super Regional with walk-off magic and for one of the best seasons in program history, and extend to the players, coaches, parents and sponsors our best wishes for success in the 2019 season.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Mississippi State University Athletic Director John Cohen, forwarded to Mississippi State University President Mark Keenum and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.