MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2013 2nd Extraordinary Session

To: Rules

By: Representatives Miles, Bounds, Evans (43rd), Malone, Rushing, Smith (27th), Stringer

House Resolution 15

(As Adopted by House)

A 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-recipient of 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, being named co-recipient of 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 third 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 (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, and assistant coaches, Justin Brewer, 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 the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend excellence, especially when evidenced by the young adults of our state, who are its future:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, 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 and coaches of the team best wishes for success in all of their future academic and athletic endeavors. 

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