Senate Resolution 12

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE NORTHWEST RANKIN HIGH SCHOOL "COUGARS" BASEBALL TEAM FOR WINNING THE MHSAA DIVISION 6 CLASS 5A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the Northwest Rankin High School "Cougars" Baseball Team set a school record for wins with a 36-3 season to win their first Class 5A state title in the program's history; and

WHEREAS, Northwest Rankin swept Gulfport 6-3 and 5-4 in the 5A title series, and also finished atop The Clarion-Ledger's MHSAA Baseball Poll for the first time; and

WHEREAS, ranked 13th nationally by Collegiate Baseball, the Cougars won 14 of their last 15 games; and

WHEREAS, the team finished as 5A runner-up in 2003 and 2004 and was 4A runner-up in 1997; and

WHEREAS, Coach Jeff McClaskey said, "It's a relief without question. We've been close so many times. We've been one of the top programs in the state year in and year out"; and

WHEREAS, "Dandy Dozen" Senior first baseman Tyler Moore enjoyed a record-setting year for the Cougars, batting .468 with 18 doubles, he established school records for hits (59), home runs (16), RBIs (65), slugging percentage (1.008), and total bases (127); and Moore's RBI total is also a 5A record; and

WHEREAS, Senior right fielder Brett Adams (.444), Junior center fielder Kenny Tackett (.426, school-record 56 runs) and Junior second baseman Clint Woods (.368) also helped carry the offensive load; and

WHEREAS, Junior right-handers Todd McInnis and Jordan King combined their pitching talents for 21 victories; and

WHEREAS, the Cougars also excelled in tournament play as the 5A North State Champions, the District 4-5A Champions and the 2005 Battle of the Beach Champions in Gulfshores, Alabama; and

WHEREAS, several individual players received recognition: Clint Woods, All-District; Kenny Tackett, All-District and 5A All-State; Tyler Moore, All-District, 5A Player of the Year, The Clarion-Ledger's Player of the Year, All-State, All-Star and set five school records; Brett Adams, All-District and 5A All-State; Taylor Cochran, All-District; Todd McInnis, All-District and 5A All-State; and Jordan King, All-District; and

WHEREAS, Coach McClaskey, ably assisted by Assistant Coaches Ben Stein, Chad Walberg, Thad Bennett and Keith McGee, was named District 4-5A Coach of the Year, All-Metro Coach of the Year and The Clarion-Ledger's Coach of the Year; and

WHEREAS, every team member contributed to the Cougars' success, including Ryan McInnis, Tim Terry, Tyler Walker, Chase Wolverton, Hunter Ainsworth, Daniel Cowart, Brett Jeter, Wesley Johnson, Josh Brumfield, Lance Caballero, Anthony Doss, Rob McCain, Harrison Mercer, Geoffrey Sinning, Nick Stewart, Justin Williams, Ben Wylie, Todd Barnthouse, C.J. Britt, Dylan Bryan, Austin Cole, Seth Hood, Adam Johns, Stephen Jury, Jason King, Ryan Nance, Scotty Owens, Zach Polzin, Robby Robinson, Jacob Sims and Jake Wise; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the Cougars' outstanding achievement 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 Northwest Rankin "Cougars" Baseball Team for winning the MHSAA Division 6 Class 5A State Championship, and extend to this team and Coach Jeff McClaskey 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 McClaskey and the Principal of Northwest Rankin High School and be made available to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.