House Resolution 22

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE JONES COUNTY JUNIOR COLLEGE BOBCATS BASEBALL TEAM, HEAD COACH CHRIS KIRTLAND AND ASSISTANT COACH TRAVIS CREEL UPON WINNING THE COLLEGE'S FIRST NATIONAL JUNIOR COLLEGE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (NJCAA) DIVISION II WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the 2016 Jones County Junior College "Bobcats" Baseball Team finished its remarkable season with their first National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II World Series Championship when they reigned victorious on June 4, 2016, at the David Allen Memorial Ballpark in Enid, Oklahoma; and

WHEREAS, playing with clear eyes, full hearts and unimaginable amounts of strength, on June 4, 2016, the Bobcats outlasted, outplayed and ultimately overpowered the Gateway Community College Geckos to win 7-1 after nine innings that left fans on the edge of their seats until the last out was made; and

WHEREAS, throughout their record-setting season of play, the Jones County Junior College Bobcats, who are bursting with wit and athleticism, faced off with some of the nation's best contenders on the red, dusty diamond, but persevered to finish their season with a school record of 54 wins, the Region 23 Championship, and the college's first-ever NJCAA Division II World Series Championship, making their presence and talent known as the gladiators and invincible champions of NJCAA baseball; and

WHEREAS, the Bobcats team statistics were impressive, and there were outstanding catches, double plays, pitches and homeruns by individual players, but the key to this team's success has been the constant team atmosphere and year-round hard work; and

WHEREAS, on the field, Mason Irby was named an NJCAA Division II Marucci Elite Hitting Award winner, ABCA Rawlings Golden Glove Award winner, NJCAA First Team All-American, All-Region 23 Team and All-MACJC First Team; Tanner Huddleston was named to the All-Region 23 Team, All-MACJC First Team and World Series All-Tournament Team; Erick Hoard was named the World Series Most Valuable Player, a Marucci Elite Hitting Award winner, and to the All-Region 23 Team and All-MACJC First Team; Fred Franklin was named the Defensive Player of the World Series and to the All-MACJC Second Team and World Series All-Tournament Team; Mason Strickland was named to the All-MACJC First Team and World Series All-Tournament Team; Ben Stiglets was named to the All-MACJC Second Team and World Series All-Tournament Team; Jonathan Parker was named to the World Series All-Tournament Team; Clint Sasser was named to the All-MACJC First Team; Shelton Wallace was named to the All-MACJC First Team; and Dalton Skelton was named to the All-MACJC Second Team; and

WHEREAS, the Bobcats have been superbly coached and inspired by Head Coach Chris Kirtland, who has broadened the Bobcats' knowledge of the game and refined their skills in execution and received the Region 23 Coach of the Year Award and Coach of the Tournament Award at the World Series; and

WHEREAS, Assistant Coach Travis Creel helped the players reach their fullest potential on and off the field and played a huge role in the success of the Jones County Junior College Bobcats Baseball Team; and

WHEREAS, Coach Kirtland and Coach Creel continue to build upon the legacy of superior play and true sportsmanship forged by the tenacious and undaunted spirit of each team member, as evidenced in their ability to produce high caliber players and the team's successful season; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend the superb accomplishments of Mississippi student-athletes, especially those such as the Jones County Junior College Bobcats Baseball Team, whose excellence on the field and in the classroom brings honor to their school, their community and the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Jones County Junior College Bobcats Baseball Team and Head Coach Chris Kirtland and Assistant Coach Travis Creel upon winning the college's first National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II World Series Championship and extend best wishes to the team and coaches for continued success in all of their future athletic and academic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Head Coach Chris Kirtland and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.