Senate Concurrent Resolution 515

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE EAST CENTRAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE WARRIOR BASEBALL TEAM FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING 2013 SEASON AND FOR WINNING THE MISSISSIPPI ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY AND JUNIOR COLLEGES STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the East Central Community College (ECCC) Warrior Baseball Team finished the 2013 season with a record of 32-21 under seventh-year Head Coach Neal Holliman in a year that culminated with the squad defeating Northwest Mississippi Community College by a score of 4-0 in the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) State Championship Game in Poplarville, Mississippi, on May 12, 2013; and

WHEREAS, before capturing ECCC's second MACJC State Championship since 2007, the Warrior Baseball Team qualified to serve as a host site for the first round of the State Playoffs after finishing 17-7 and earning second place in tough MACJC South Division play, and then clenched a first round home playoff series over the Mississippi Delta Community College Trojans by scores of 5-2 and 7-3; and

WHEREAS, ECCC went undefeated in the double-elimination State Tournament event by posting wins over Northeast Mississippi Community College by a score of 19-1, Pearl River Community College by a score of 7-6, and Northwest Mississippi Community College by a score of 4-0; and

WHEREAS, the outstanding performance by the Warrior Baseball Team earned the team top seed for the Region 23 Tournament and a top 20 ranking in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II poll; and

WHEREAS, several members of the Warrior Baseball Team have been recognized by their teammates and the college for their hard work, dedication and superior play in 2013, including shortstop Tim Anderson of Tuscaloosa (Alabama) being named ECCC's Most Valuable Player, pitcher Caleb McKee of Philadelphia receiving the Scholar Athlete Award and co-receiving the Jamie Clark Memorial Award, third baseman Maxwell Harmon of Meridian being named Most Valuable Defensive Player and Most Improved Position Player, and outfielder Terrance Steele of Neshoba Central co-receiving the Jamie Clark Memorial Award; and

WHEREAS, in addition, several members of the Warrior Baseball Team have been recognized by the MACJC including shortstop Tim Anderson who received All-Region 23 and first team MACJC All-State honors for the second straight year; pitcher Caleb McKee who was named first team MACJC All-State; and catcher Chase Domino of Fairhope (Alabama), outfielder Xavier Franklin of Decatur, pitcher Fernando Gonzalez of Puerto Rico, pitcher Blake Dubuisson of Long Beach, pitcher Severino Signa of Stoneville, and first baseman Rubert Alcantara of the Dominican Republic who were all named to the MACJC All-State Second Team; and

WHEREAS, Warrior Baseball shortstop Tim Anderson finished the season leading the nation in batting with a .495 (91-184) average and runs scored (62) while finishing second in the nation with 41 stolen bases, also collected 10 home runs, 11 triples, 18 doubles and 45 RBIs, was credited with a .563 on-base percentage and .864 slugging percentage, was selected a 2013 NJCAA Division II Baseball All-American, and was the first-round selection by the Chicago White Sox and 17th overall pick in the 2013 MLB Draft; and

WHEREAS, the Warrior Baseball Team was recently recognized by the NJCAA as having earned the 3rd highest average team GPA (3.35) in the nation among member baseball teams and several members of the Warrior Baseball Team were recognized for outstanding academic achievement including pitcher Blake Dubuisson (3.63 GPA-Exemplary Academic Achievement), pitcher Fernando Gonzalez (3.67-Exemplary Academic Achievement), second baseman Kalik May of Tuscaloosa (Alabama) (3.96 GPA-Superior Academic Achievement), pitcher Caleb McKee (4.0 GPA-Pinnacle Award for Academic Excellence), outfielder Ryan Shotts of Louisville (3.91 GPA-Superior Academic Achievement), and outfielder Terrance Steele (3.87 GPA-Superior Academic Achievement); and

WHEREAS, the East Central Community College Warrior Baseball Team has been superbly coached and inspired by Head Coach Neal Holliman, Assistant Coaches Justin Brewer and Jack Edmonson, and Student Assistant Slater Lott who have broadened the Warrior Team members' knowledge of the game, refined their skills, and provided opportunities for personal growth and development; and

WHEREAS, Coach Holliman has brought additional honor to himself and to ECCC by being named the MACJC Coach of the Year; and

WHEREAS, the members of the Warrior Baseball Team have developed a winning and cooperative spirit and a high degree of sportsmanship, and their activities and attitude reflect great credit upon the individual players and their coaches and bring honor to East Central Community College, the team members' parents and hometown communities, and the State of Mississippi as they have achieved these accolades the EC Way – Excellence with Class; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize these student athletes who have brought pride to their college and 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 East Central Community College Warrior Baseball Team and Head Coach Neal Holliman for their outstanding 2013 season and for winning the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) State Championship and extend to the individual members, coaches, parents and sponsors of the team best wishes for success in all of their future academic and athletic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the East Central Community College Warrior Baseball Team, Head Coach Neal Holliman and President Dr. Billy Stewart, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.