Senate Resolution 9

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE JACKSON PREPARATORY SCHOOL "PATRIOTS" VARSITY BASEBALL TEAM FOR WINNING THE MPSA CLASS 3A DIVISION I STATE CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR.

WHEREAS, the Jackson Preparatory School "Patriots" Varsity Baseball Team downed Parklane 9-2 on Thursday, May 12, 2005, to win the Academy Class 3A, Division I State Championship; and

WHEREAS, the victory in "do-or-die" game 3 at Patriot Field included Tait Hendrix's two-out RBI single in the bottom of the first inning before an estimated crowd of 800; and

WHEREAS, the Patriots scored four runs in the bottom of the second, three of which were unearned, when Brad McCay and Bret Benson had RBI hits and Swayze Waters delivered a sacrifice fly; and

WHEREAS, Sophomore pitcher Dudley Hutchinson started the game with Kyle Moore coming in to pitch in the fourth; Moore, a senior, tossed four shutout innings in his final appearance in a Prep uniform; and

WHEREAS, the fifth-ranked Patriots (25-9) finished the season by winning an unprecedented third straight MPSA championship for Prep, their ninth outright MPSA title since 1974; and

WHEREAS, Prep Coach Trey Bayliss said, "It feels incredible. I knew these boys had it in them, but I knew it was going to be an uphill climb. We had something to prove"; and

WHEREAS, the team includes All-Star players Kyle Moore, Tait Hendrix and Swayze Waters; and

WHEREAS, the Patriots' Team Captains were Brett Benson and Tait Hendrix; and

WHEREAS, Swayze Waters was named Best Offensive Player, Wallace McLaurin was named Best Defensive Player, and Kyle Moore was named Most Valuable Player; and

WHEREAS, every team member contributed to the Patriot success, including Ryan Selman, Price Davis, Grant Robinson, Richard Yerger, Daniel Herrington, Dudley Hutchinson, Daniel Luter, Brad McCay, Jud Judkins, David Steele, Ty Owen, Christian Barnes, Nick Schneeberger, Zach Warden, Rob Carpenter, Doug Schneider, Connor Burgess, Arthur Davis, Ben Molpus, Rob Gathings, Mark McVey, and Brantley Davidson; and

WHEREAS, the team had the benefit of excellent leadership and inspiration under Head Coach Trey Bayliss with the able support of Assistant Coaches Luis Campos and Joey Hydrick; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the outstanding achievement of this team, which has 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 Jackson Preparatory School "Patriots" Varsity Baseball Team for winning the MPSA Class 3A State Championship, and extend to this team and Coach Trey Bayliss the best wishes of the Senate for success in their future athletic and academic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Bayliss and the Headmaster of Jackson Preparatory School and be made available to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.