Senate Resolution 47

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE EAST CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL "HORNETS" BASEBALL TEAM IN HURLEY, MISSISSIPPI, AND COACH BO LONG FOR WINNING THE 2022 MHSAA CLASS 5A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP, THEIR FIRST STATE TITLE SINCE 2008.

WHEREAS, East Central Junior, Andrew Marble, gave his community another team to discuss on May 27, 2022, at Trustmark Park, in addition to the 2008 and 2009 teams. Marble scored the game-winning run in East Central High School's 3-2 victory lead against Neshoba Central, then followed it with a pitching gem in Game 2. Marble allowed five hits, one earned run with five strikeouts as the "Hornets" (28-6) won 7-3 to claim the MHSAA Class 5A State Championship; and

WHEREAS, Marble had a 9-2 record with 0.86 ERA heading into Game 2, and Coach Bo Long saw him give up an RBI single in the first inning. East Central still led 2-1 against Neshoba Central (27-2). The rest was up to Marble. "He's just been really good for us all year and that's what we expect when he goes on the mound," Coach Long said; and

WHEREAS, Senior Hollis Porter continued the scoring for the "Hornets" in the fourth, with a two-run triple to right field to extend East Central's lead. Porter finished 1-for-3 with two RBIs in Game 2. He finished the year with 30 RBIs and six home runs; and

WHEREAS, East Central went 8-1 in the playoffs and held opponents to 2.1 runs per game. The Game 2 victory was the "Hornets" sixth consecutive game holding their opponents to three or fewer runs. East Central's pitching dominance helped end the 14-year drought, and it was worth the wait. "In the last 10 years that was our fourth trip to the South State and we just haven't been able to get over the hump and to finally do that is huge," Coach Long said; and

WHEREAS, the 2022 East Central Championship Roster: Andrew Marble, Hollis Porter, Caleb Gardner, Cadyn Hayes, Carson Lewelling, Chandler Thompson, Eli Smith, Brayson Owenby, Matthew Combs, Carson Ryder, Brody Howard, Grant Vick, TJ Dunsford, Jaxon Cripps, Blake Hayes, Anthony Tanner, Logan Terry, Haydn Porter, Pacey Baria, Branson Hearndon, Fisher Strickler, Payton Youngblood, Brody Long, Cody Baria, Payton McLean, Mason Prouty, JT Wilson, Porter Martin, Brandt Dickerson, Christian McFaul, Gaines Huff, Nate Trochessett and Head Coach Bo Long, Assistant Coaches Stephen Garrard and Brian Knight; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this group of student athletes who have brought honor to their team, 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 East Central High School "Hornets" Baseball Team in Hurley, Mississippi, and Coach Bo Long for winning the 2022 MHSAA Class 5A State Championship, their first State Title since 2008, and extend to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors our best wishes for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Bo Long and East Central Principal Jim Hughey, forwarded to the Jackson County Board of Education and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.