Senate Concurrent Resolution 575

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE DESOTO CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL "JAGUARS" BASEBALL TEAM AND COACH MARK MONAGHAN FOR WINNING THE 2018 CLASS 6A STATE TITLE.

WHEREAS, DeSoto Central High School Coach Mark Monaghan thought he had a special group of guys who might compete for a State Championship. He had an explosive offense and a defense that played well enough behind a serviceable pitching staff. All of that talent culminated in a 10-1 win over George County in the rubber match of the 6A Championship on May 19, 2018, at Trustmark Park in Pearl. So was the manner in which the Jaguars won Saturday; and

WHEREAS, DeSoto Central hitters pounded out 14 hits, including three for extra bases. Freshman First Baseman Blaze Jordan went 2-for-2 with a single and a double, walked twice and scored three runs. Third Baseman Peyton Mills went 3-for-4 with a triple, scored twice and drove in four more runs. In all, nine different Jaguars registered at least one single. But everyone knew the Jaguars could hit. They came into Saturday batting .347 as a team and averaging better than 8.5 runs a game; and

WHEREAS, this Championship Series took a 180-degree turn after the opening game, which George County 27-6 won 5-4. The Jaguars came back and took game two 5-1 behind a stellar starting performance from Matthew Taylor. At the final game, it was senior Hamp Houston's turn. The senior went 4-2/3 innings and gave up one unearned run on one hit with four walks and seven strikeouts. Junior reliever Will Logsdon came on in relief and retired all seven of the eight batters he faced with three strikeouts to finish it off; and

WHEREAS, the State Title was the second for DeSoto Central (29-9) and Monaghan, who has built quite the program since he took over the position five years ago. The Jaguars have won two of the three State Championships for which they have played in that stretch. The 2018 Jaguars, perhaps the best group yet, are majority underclassmen; and

WHEREAS, the 2018 DeSoto Central High School "Jaguars" Baseball Team Championship Roster is: Jackson Siler, OF, LHP; Cade Smith, RHP; Shemaar Stapleton, OF; Hunter French, INF, OF, P; Alex Frillman, C, INF; Kyle Booker, OF, RHP; Blaze Jordan, INF, P; Jeremiah Harris, INF, RHP; Mac Sims, OF, P, INF; Dylan Hale, INF, OF, P; Wesley Sides, INF; Jacob Rousseau, INF; Reid Musselwhite, OF, RHP; Chase Honeycut, INF, C, P; Kamren James, INF, P; Aiden Foeller, RHP; Bryce Gaston, INF; Dalton Phillips, RHP; Landon Anthony, OF; Ayden Ashwill, UTIL; Colby Crocker, RHP; Terris Meeks, OF, RHP; Will Logsdon, 1B, RHP; Gabe Moore, OF, RHP; Coleman Haltom, C; Will Norris, RHP; Zachary Steward, RHP; Tyler Pearson, UTIL; Andrew O'Neal, 1B, 3B; Landon Powell, OF, RHP; Connar Gardner, C; Parker Worley, C, RHP; Clint Brown, Jr., INF, RHP; Brock Tapper, OF, 1B, LHP; Kristian Sprawling, UTIL; Head Coach Mark Monaghan; and Assistant Coaches Jason Miller and Jeremy Simpson; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize these student athletes who have brought pride to their school, 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 DeSoto Central High School "Jaguars" Baseball Team and Coach Mark Monaghan for winning the 2018 Class 6A State Title, and extend to the players, coaches, parents and sponsors our best wishes for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Mark Monaghan for the team, forwarded to DeSoto Central Principal Cliff Johnston and the DeSoto County Board of Education, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.