MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 1st Extraordinary Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Michel, Butler (38th), Collins, Davis, Fillingane, Hyde-Smith, Jackson (32nd), Jones, Lee (35th), Powell, Kirby
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE JACKSON ACADEMY "RAIDERS" BASEBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH JAY POWELL FOR WINNING THEIR 6TH MISSISSIPPI ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS CLASS AAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
WHEREAS, led by junior pitcher/first baseman Matt Denny, top-ranked Jackson Academy (29-8) rolled to the Academy Class AAA, Division I Championship, the Raiders' first Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) title since 2002; and
WHEREAS, Denny went 10-0 with a 2.19 (ERA) and 101 strikeouts on the mound and hit .473 with 16 doubles, 12 homers and 56 RBIs. "I said all along if you have a deep pitching staff and play defense, you can be in every game, and that's what these guys did," said Jackson Academy Coach Jay Powell, whose Raiders swept Jackson Prep and Parklane Academy in the playoffs; and
WHEREAS, the Raiders pitching staff showed why they broke the team ERA record this season as they held Parklane scoreless over the last 9 innings of baseball in the postseason. Andrew Alexander (6-1, 2.27 ERA) tossed his 4th complete game of the season while holding the Pioneers to two hits on just 81 pitches. The three main Raiders' starters (Denny, Alexander, and Shumaker) combined to go (22-3, 2.49 ERA) in their 31 starts along with 12 complete games. The bats came to life in the 4th inning as the Raiders batted around for their fourth straight game in the postseason posting 7 runs on 4 hits including Jeffery Agre's 4th home run of the season and the Raiders' 34th home run as a team. Jackson Academy got multi-hit games from Luley (2), Agre (2) and Hannon (2). With the win, the Raiders set a new school record for wins in a season with their 29th victory. Jackson Academy players also broke 15 individual school records and tied 3: Matt Denny (8), Michael Luley (4), Keith Shumaker (2), Michael Martin (2), Andrew Alexander (1), and Drake Davis (1); and
WHEREAS, Jackson Academy broke 14 team records: most wins 29 (old record 28, 1991 and 2007); most strikeouts (pitching staff) 310 (old record 225, 2007); most runs scored 363 (old record 360, 2007); most walks earned 194 (old record 145, 2007); most hits by pitches 66 (old record 54, 2009); most runs batted in 316 (old record 267, 2007); most home runs 34 (old record 25, 1999); most doubles 88 (old record 85, 1999); most hits 366 (old record 335, 2010); highest slugging percentage .573 (old record .503, 2008); highest on base percentage .491 (old record .444, 2008); most complete games pitched 13 (old record 10, 2008); best team ERA 2.81 (old record 3.12, 1986); and lowest opponent batting average .228 (old record .308, 2008); and
WHEREAS, the Jackson Academy Varsity Baseball roster is as follows: Jeffrey Agre (INF/P), Andrew Alexander (OF/P), Bo Bickerstaff (INF/P), Carter Clarke (INF/P), Will Crockett (C), Drake Davis (INF/P), Matt Denny (INF/P), Clayton Durfey (INF/P), Brent Ferguson (INF), Rich Gilbert (P), Nick Guy (OF), John Hannon (INF), Conner Hawes (OF), Hunter Johns (INF/P), Benton Kelly (OF), Michael Luley (OF), J.D. Maloney (OF/P), Michael Martin (OF/P), Matthew McMullen (INF/P), Michael Mordecai (OF/P), Austin Morrison (INF/P), Zach Nethery (INF/P), Drew Newquist (INF/P), Cooper Reid (OF), Jay Shell (C), Keith Shumaker (INF/P), Matt Smith (INF/P), Ken Stewart (C), Colby Walter (INF/P), Blake Weir (OF), and Braden Whitehead (OF/P); and
WHEREAS, the 2010-2011 Jackson Academy Baseball seniors are to be congratulated for finishing 71-35; and it is with great pride that we recognize this group of student athletes who have 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, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the 2010-2011 Jackson Academy "Raiders" Baseball Team and Head Coach Jay Powell for winning their sixth Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Class AAA State Championship, and extend our best wishes to the players, coaches, parents and sponsors on this auspicious occasion.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Powell, President Peter Jernberg and Headmaster Pat Taylor for the team, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.