Senate Resolution 44

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE BROOKHAVEN ACADEMY COUGARS GIRLS FASTPITCH SOFTBALL TEAM AND COACH LISA COVINGTON FOR SWEEPING RIVAL PARKLANE FOR THE 2024 MAIS 5A GIRLS FASTPITCH SOFTBALL TITLE.

WHEREAS, Brookhaven Academy finished off the 2024 MAIS 5A Championship series with a thrilling 9-6 win over Parklane Academy in game two on October 10, 2024, in McComb, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, the Cougars had previously won game one 3-2 at home. The title is the third in four seasons for the program; and

WHEREAS, the Brookhaven Academy Cougars are the 2025 MAIS 5A State Champions after sweeping their best of three series against Parklane Academy with a 9-6 road victory in game two. The championship is the third in four seasons for Brookhaven Academy and gave the program a measure of revenge against Parklane Academy after the Pioneers beat the Cougars in the title series in 2023; and

WHEREAS, tied 6-6 in the top of the seventh inning with the bases loaded and two outs, Brookhaven Academy junior center fielder Alayna Daigle provided one of the most memorable plays in school history, as her double to center cleared the bases and put the Cougars ahead for good; and

WHEREAS, a night after Brookhaven Academy Head Coach Lisa Covington saw her team go down 2-0 at home, only to come back for a 3-2 win, the teams battled in another game with wild momentum swings. Parklane led 2-0 before Brookhaven Academy tied the game up at 2-2 following the top of the third. The Pioneers then jumped right back ahead 5-2 after three complete innings. Brookhaven Academy had its biggest inning of the night in the top half of the fourth, scoring four runs to go ahead 6-5, but that advantage did not last the full inning as Parklane scored once in the bottom half to tie the game again at 6-6. That is where the score stood though the fifth and sixth, before Daigle broke it open for Brookhaven Academy in the top of the seventh. The Cougars outhit the Pioneers 12-8; and

WHEREAS, the 2024 Brookhaven Academy Cougars championship roster is: Peyton Davis, Ann Elise Duncan, Charlee Haire, Miriam Wallace, Madelynn Lambert, Annaston Poole, Bailey Parks, Whitney Grace Whittington, Emme Barrett, Tori Gaudet, Ella Edwards, Maggie Ray, Joleigh Langham, Jessi Covington, Alayna Daigle, Mattie Leggett, Caroline Case, Tinsley Rogers, Laci Brooke Leggett, Mia Lee, Kensy Covington, Swayze Poole, Morgan Chemin, Abby Wilson, and Annabel Gaskin; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize these 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, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Brookhaven Academy Cougars Girls Fastpitch Softball Team and Coach Lisa Covington for sweeping rival Parklane for the 2024 MAIS 5A Girls Fastpitch Softball Title, and extend to the team, coaches, faculty, parents and sponsors our best wishes for future championships.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Head Coach Lisa Covington for the team, forwarded to Brookhaven Academy Head of School Jason Case and the Board of Trustees, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.