Bill Text: SC S0402 | 2011-2012 | 119th General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: University of South Carolina Baseball Team
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2011-01-19 - Introduced and adopted [S0402 Detail]
Download: South_Carolina-2011-S0402-Introduced.html
A SENATE RESOLUTION
TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA BASEBALL TEAM, UPON GARNERING THE 2010 COLLEGE WORLD SERIES TITLE, AND TO COMMEND THE TEAM MEMBERS, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR A STUPENDOUS, WINNING SEASON.
Whereas, the members of the Senate of the State of South Carolina were elated to learn that the University of South Carolina baseball team won the national championship at the College World Series held in Omaha, Nebraska, on June 29, 2010; and
Whereas, from the NCAA baseball tournament, the University of South Carolina emerged with eleven wins and only one loss, where the team displayed the indispensible importance of every team member and the impact of consistent performance; and
Whereas, the University of South Carolina entered the College World Series with a season record of forty-eight wins and fifteen losses for a chance to win the final series ever to be held in historic Rosenblatt Stadium, the home of sixty-one championship series since 1950; and
Whereas, for Coach Ray Tanner this was the fourth trip to Omaha since 2002 to compete for the national title as the head baseball coach of the University of South Carolina, and for the Gamecock baseball program it was the culmination of thirty-five years of excellence on the diamond under three head coaches; and
Whereas, when the eight teams met in the double-elimination series, the University of South Carolina was not named among the teams with the top pitching reputations, yet they delivered one of the most effective pitching performances in the sixty-four-year history of the College World Series, and they clearly won the championship on the mound; and
Whereas, the Carolina Gamecocks lost their first game of the series to the University of Oklahoma 4-3, making every other game they played an elimination one, which produced much nail biting on many Gamecocks talons in both Columbia and Omaha; and
Whereas, in the remaining games, Carolina thrashed Arizona State 11-4, bested Oklahoma in a twelve-inning rematch 3-2, and defeated Clemson University back to back 5-1 and 4-3 to square off against the University of California Los Angeles Bruins in the best-out-of-three championship series; and
Whereas, the Gamecocks defeated the pitching powerhouse of the Bruins in the first game of the championship 7-1 to the delight of Gamecock fans and the woe of their adversaries; and
Whereas, in the second game the Bruins made the first run to take their only lead of the championship in the top of the fifth inning, which was answered by a Gamecock run in the bottom of the eighth by Robert Beary; and
Whereas, with the score still tied 1-1 in the bottom of the eleventh inning, Scott Wingo came to bat and took a walk to first base, stole second base on a passed ball, and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt from Evan Marzilli; and
Whereas, junior outfielder Whit Merrifield took the plate with Scott Wingo on third base, the biggest potential run in Gamecock history, and on a 2-0 pitch, he hit a single line drive to right field, making the run a reality and clinching the first Gamecock national title in the university's athletic history; and
Whereas, the Gamecocks' senior pitcher Blake Cooper threw three hundred pitches in three games of the series, including the victory in the first game of the title series, and the Gamecocks allowed a total of only two runs in the twenty innings in the two championship games against the Bruins; and
Whereas, senior Gamecock catcher and team captain, Kyle Enders, played every inning in all seven games of the series, and sophomore outfielder, Jackie Bradley, with two homers and nine runs batted in during the seven games was named the 2010 College World Series Most Valuable Player; and
Whereas, winning the university's first national championship in any men's sport, the Gamecocks came back from the initial loss to Oklahoma to win the College World Series and led the field in earned-run average, fielding, and hitting; and
Whereas, Head Coach Ray Tanner along with his outstanding coaching staff have forged a championship baseball team through rigorous practices and demanding drills, setting a standard of excellence throughout the Palmetto State and instilling a depth of character that will remain invaluable in the lives of these athletes both on and off the diamond; and
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are grateful for the pride and recognition that the University of South Carolina baseball team has brought to their school and to our fine State and expect to hear of their continued accomplishments in future years. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the Senate of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, recognize and honor the University of South Carolina baseball team, upon garnering the 2010 College World Series title, and commend the team members, coaches, and school officials for a stupendous, winning season.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to University of South Carolina President Harris Pastides and Head Coach Ray Tanner.
