Senate Resolution 94

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE MARSHALL ACADEMY "PATRIOTS" BOYS BASEBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH BRUCE BRANCH FOR WINNING THEIR FIRST MAIS 4A VARSITY BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP IN 50 YEARS IN A VICTORY DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF COACH BRANCH'S BABY GIRL, JANIE, WHO WAS THE TEAM'S INSPIRATION ("JANIE STRONG").

WHEREAS, on May 19, 2022, the Marshall Academy "Patriots" Boys Baseball Team defeated Wayne Academy in the best of three MAIS 4A Varsity Baseball Championship, which was the school's first Baseball Championship in over 50 years; and

WHEREAS, during the 2021 season, Coach Bruce Branch's baby daughter, Janie, was a team and crowd favorite unofficial mascot on the sidelines during games and had become the inspiration for the 2022 season when she was tragically lost in a car accident. The team and community declared they would live their lives "Janie Strong," and when the season started, the slogan was painted on the sidelines to fight and play as hard as Janie did during her life; and

WHEREAS, during game three of the Championship playoff, the tide turned for the "Patriots." They pulled out every pitcher they had and let them all have a turn. It was a magical thing to see. Jamie and Jackson Graves, twin seniors, got to play together one last time as pitcher and catcher. They were poetry in motion, as always. Colton Neal, the never-still third baseman, was all over that field. Colton Atherton was stealing bases like they were made of gold, Jordan Bonds didn't let another pitch get past first base, and Rusty Bolden was running like the wind. Finally, Landon Houston took the mound to pitch. The crowd was electric. He struck out two batters. Up came the third. One strike, then two, then the crack of a bat and a ball sailing up and then into Landon's glove. The team stormed the field. These boys wanted this win. They wanted it for themselves and for the school; and

WHEREAS, the 2022 Marshall Academy "Patriots" Boys Baseball Team Championship Roster: Colton Atherton, Colton Neal, Jamie Graves, Jackson Graves, Gage Gardner, Landon Houston, Colton Foster, Matt Bourdon, Jordan Bonds, Rusty Bolden, Walker Sanders, Jack Whaley Smith, Jace Reason, Kevin Sykes, Tucker Chumney, Hayden Lundine, Kaleb Leist, Konner Morgan, Cade Sanders, Devin Snow, Brennan Smith, Kyler Todd, Zach Bogard, Eli Gurley and John Taylor; Head Coach Bruce Branch; and Assistant Coaches Jason Taylor, Tobe West and Dustin Skelton; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize these student athletes whose inspirational championship 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 Marshall Academy "Patriots" Baseball Team and Head Coach Bruce Branch for winning their first MAIS 4A Varsity Baseball Championship in 50 years in a victory dedicated to the memory of Coach Branch's baby girl, Janie, who was the team's inspiration ("Janie Strong"), and extend to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors our best wishes for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Branch and his family, forwarded to Headmaster Jason Taylor and the Marshall Academy Board of Trustees, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.