House Resolution 40

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE JONES COUNTY JUNIOR COLLEGE BASEBALL TEAM ON THEIR OUTSTANDING SEASON AND THEIR TRIP TO THE NJCAA DIVISION II WORLD SERIES.

WHEREAS, the Jones County Junior College (JCJC) Bobcats Baseball Team competed in the 2011 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II World Series from May 28 through June 4, 2011, at the David Allen Memorial Ballpark in Enid, Oklahoma; and

WHEREAS, the Bobcats won the first four games of the World Series, defeating Des Moines Area Community College from Iowa with a score of 9-1, Heartland Community College from Illinois with a score of 10-5, Kellogg Community College from Michigan with a score of 10-7 and Madison College of Wisconsin with a score of 11-4 before falling to Western Oklahoma State College from Oklahoma; and

WHEREAS, the Bobcats season closed out with an impressive overall record of 11-1, placing Jones County Junior College (JCJC) high in the national rankings with a final rank of second in the nation; and

WHEREAS, the team roster for the 2011 Bobcats Baseball Team includes: Nick Ray, Ladd Rhodes, Jarrett Jenkins, Chase Headrick, Andrew Pierce, Graham Odom, Jay Bell, Jon Glaze, Zach Allen, Cameron Rose, Tate Ratcliff, Logan Riddell, Jace Belcher, Josh Palmer, Tre Keyes, Vito Perna, Blake McIlwain, Bryce Ladner, Jay Dedeaux, Blake Bowman, Darion Hamilton, Tyler Fall, Chase Stewart, Chad Guice, Weston Stringer, Zane Walley, Ryan Waters, Ryan Roberts and David Walley; and

WHEREAS, the Bobcats were coached by Head Coach Christian Ostrander, Assistant Coaches Reggie Richardson and Chris Kirtland and Team Statistician Elizabeth Sanders; and

WHEREAS, members of the Bobcats Baseball Team were showered in accolades during the 2011 season, including: first baseman Nick Ray and centerfielder Ladd Rhodes, were both named to the World Series All-Star Tournament Team; pitcher Andrew Pierce who was named first-team All-Mississippi Association of Community/Junior Colleges (MACJC), All-Region 23 and first-team, NJCAA Division II All-American pitcher; Logan Riddell was named a first-team, All-MACJC pitcher; and Ladd Rhodes and catcher Ryan Roberts were named second-team All-MACJC choices; and

WHEREAS, JCJC won its second straight MACJC South Division crown, an impressive feat that enabled them to host East Mississippi Community College in the opening round of the state playoffs on May 4-5, where the Bobcats defeated the Lions with a series record of 2-1, earning the Bobcats the opportunity to host the MACJC State Tournament at their brand new facility, Community Bank Park on May 12-15; and

WHEREAS, the fans of JCJC came out en masse to support their Bobcats in the state tournament, and the team put on a show for its fans, sweeping the series by defeating Northwest Mississippi Community College with a score of 7-0, Holmes Community College with a score of 6-1 and Northwest with a score of 11-6, to claim the first state championship title for JCJC since 2002; and

WHEREAS, the Bobcats advanced to the Region 23 Tournament at Holmes Community College, losing to Holmes in the first game of the three-game series, and bouncing back to defeat Northwest and Holmes in games two and three; and

WHEREAS, not to be surpassed by LSU-Eunice, the Bobcats shocked the defending national champions by winning the first two games in a three game series, to claim its first ever regional championship; and

WHEREAS, during his first two years as Head Coach of the Bobcats Baseball Team, Coach Ostrander has guided his team to winning records each season and was selected as Coach of the Year by the MACJC, Region 23 and Mississippi Association of Coaches; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend excellence in athletics, especially when evidenced by the stellar athletes of our community and junior colleges, such as the Bobcats Baseball Team, who have brought great honor to themselves, their families, their coaches, their school and their community:

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 Baseball Team and Head Coach Christian Ostrander on their impressive 2011 season and their first ever regional championship title, and extend best wishes in all of their future academic and athletic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Head Coach Ostrander, the Jones County Junior College Board of Trustees and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.