Senate Resolution 14

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE COPIAH-LINCOLN COMMUNITY COLLEGE "WOLVES" BASEBALL TEAM, COACH KEITH CASE AND ASSISTANT COACH BRYAN NOBILE FOR WINNING THE NJCAA SOUTH REGION 23 TOURNAMENT, THE NJCAA SOUTHEAST SUPER REGIONAL TOURNAMENT, AND FOR THEIR EXCELLENT 2005 SEASON.

WHEREAS, as the Co-Lin Wolves began their post-season Cinderella story traveling to Poplarville, Mississippi, and defeating the top ranked team in the final NJCAA Division II poll to win the NJCAA South Region 23 Tournament; and

WHEREAS, with this tournament championship in hand, they advanced to the NJCAA Southeast Super Regional; and

WHEREAS, the Copiah-Lincoln Community College "Wolves" Baseball Team added yet another chapter to their remarkable 2005 Cinderella story in the championship finals of the NJCAA Southeast Super Regional. With two batters retired and just one strike away from defeat, the Region 23 Champions rallied for 3 runs in the top of the ninth inning and escaped the St. Catharine Patriots 8-7 in a mind-boggling finish at Edelon-Heydon Park; and

WHEREAS, "This is everybody's baseball dream," said Schexnayder, a freshman from Houma, Louisiana. "There's no better feeling. We are all fighters on this team. We may not have the most talent but we have the most heart"; and

WHEREAS, the Wolves (30-26-1) advance to the NJCAA Division II World Series played at USA Stadium at Millington, Tennessee, where they face Elgin (Ill.) Community College (52-8); and

WHEREAS, this is Copiah-Lincoln's second trip to the World Series under Coach Keith Case, the last time being in 2000 when the team finished 4th; and

WHEREAS, Keith Case, the Mississippi State grad in his 13th season as Col-Lin's coach, says he's never seen a team face this much adversity, much less overcome it. After 50 games some baseball teams run short on baseballs and bats. Co-Lin long since ran out of bandages and ice. Eight surgeries later, Co-Lin is down to 16 healthy players. Guys who were pitchers only are now playing regularly in the lineup. A month ago, those pitchers weren't taking batting practice. In mid-April, Co-Lin had a losing record. In late May, the Wolves are playing for a national championship; and

WHEREAS, the 2005 Co-Lin Baseball roster is as follows: Ryan Belanger, Cody Cunningham, Josh Logan, Patrick Williams, Gregory Ketchings, Hunter Posey, Garrett Jones, Justin Smith, Jody Britt, Justin Sykes, Will Buckels, Colby Beach, Xavier Qualls, Adam Ogden, Ben Sandifer, Matthew Schexnayder, Scotty Smith, Lance Deville, Te Riley, Joel Hurt, Joseph Langham, Derek Thompson, Head Coach Keith Case, Assistant Coach Bryan Nobile, Managers Blake Byrd and Alan Case, Trainer Matt McClain, and Public Address Dennis White; and

WHEREAS, it is great pride that we recognize the special achievement of this group of student athletes who have brought honor to their college, 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 Copiah-Lincoln Community College "Wolves" Baseball Team and Coach Keith Case for winning the National Junior College Athletic Association South Region 23 Tournament, the NJCAA Southeast Super Regional Tournament, competing in the Division II World Series, and an excellent 2005 season that will long be remembered.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Co-Lin Baseball Team and Coach Case, the President of Co-Lin Community College and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.