TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE BELTON-HONEA PATH HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY BASEBALL TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR CAPTURING THE 2016 SOUTH CAROLINA CLASS AAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.
Whereas, the South Carolina Senate is pleased to learn that the members of the Belton-Honea Path baseball team of Anderson County took top honors at the state competition held on Monday, May 23, 2016; and
Whereas, to the cheers of their loyal and exuberant fans, the Belton-Honea Path Bears handily defeated St. James High School 5-0 to garner the team's second straight state title and to repeat the team's 1990 and 1991 consecutive wins; and
Whereas, in the second inning, the Bears' Senior Austin Hughes batted a single, stole second, and advanced to third when teammate Jamison Patterson ground out to second base. Hughes scored when Braxton Sherriff sent a grounder up the middle; and
Whereas, Belton-Honea Path runner Kameron Burton made it home in the third inning when Blake Holliday, a Clemson signee, hit a double to deep right centerfield to pull the lead to 2-0, but their bats went silent in the fourth and fifth innings; and
Whereas, after Holliday hit a single in the sixth inning, Griffin Jester took a walk and Austin Todd, a signee for The Citadel, sent one over the left-field wall to post what would be the final 5-0 score; and
Whereas, taking top honors for the fifth time in the team's history, Belton-Honea Path recorded a stellar 28-4 season; and
Whereas, Bears pitcher Blake Holliday pitched a 14-strikeout, complete-game shutout and allowed only one hit and two walks in the state championship game that clinched the title for Belton-Honea Path; and
Whereas, his powerhouse arm and the Bears' strong defense, boasting a .970 fielding percentage for the season, successfully shut down the St. James Sharks; and
Whereas, in a sport that demands speed, power, and alertness, the Belton-Honea Path Bears mounted a strong defense and pitching force to retain the state championship for another year; and
Whereas, Head Coach Steve Williams and his skilled coaching staff maximized their own athletic experience and training to produce a championship-caliber team and drill lessons into these athletes that will prove invaluable through life both on and off the diamond; and
Whereas, the members of the Senate value the respect and acclaim that the Belton-Honea Path baseball players have brought to their school and their community and look to hear of their future success in the days ahead. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and honor the Belton-Honea Path High School varsity baseball team, coaches, and school officials for an extraordinary season and congratulate them for capturing the 2016 South Carolina Class AAA State Championship title.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Principal Lester McCall and Coach Steve Williams.