H 4621  Resolution, By Bernstein, Finlay, Alexander, Allison, Anderson, Atkinson, 
Bailey, Bales, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bennett, Blackwell, Bradley, 
Brawley, Brown, Bryant, Burns, Calhoon, Caskey, Chellis, Chumley, Clary, 
Clemmons, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Cogswell, Collins, B.Cox, W.Cox, Crawford, 
Daning, Davis, Dillard, Elliott, Erickson, Felder, Forrest, Forrester, Fry, 
Funderburk, Gagnon, Garvin, Gilliam, Gilliard, Govan, Hardee, Hart, Hayes, 
Henderson-Myers, Henegan, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hill, Hiott, Hixon, Hosey, 
Howard, Huggins, Hyde, Jefferson, Johnson, Jones, Jordan, Kimmons, King, 
Kirby, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Lucas, Mace, Mack, Magnuson, Martin, McCoy, McCravy, 
McDaniel, McGinnis, McKnight, Moore, Morgan, D.C.Moss, V.S.Moss, Murphy, 
B.Newton, W.Newton, Norrell, Ott, Parks, Pendarvis, Pope, Ridgeway, Rivers, 
Robinson, Rose, Rutherford, Sandifer, Simmons, Simrill, G.M.Smith, G.R.Smith, 
Sottile, Spires, Stavrinakis, Stringer, Tallon, Taylor, Thayer, Thigpen, 
Toole, Trantham, Weeks, West, Wheeler, White, Whitmire, R.Williams, S.Williams, 
Willis, Wooten and Yow
 A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE HAMMOND SKYHAWKS VARSITY
 BASEBALL TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR AN OUTSTANDING SEASON AND TO
 CONGRATULATE THEM ON CAPTURING THE 2019 SOUTH CAROLINA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL
 ASSOCIATION CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.
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   05/20/19  House  Introduced and adopted (House Journal-page 18)

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE HAMMOND SKYHAWKS VARSITY BASEBALL TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR AN OUTSTANDING SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM ON CAPTURING THE 2019 SOUTH CAROLINA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ASSOCIATION CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

Whereas, fully prepared for the challenge that awaited them, the Hammond Skyhawks varsity baseball team erased an early five-run deficit and crowned a spectacular season by capturing the 2019 SCISA Class 3A State Championship title, defeating Ben Lippen 11-7 on Thursday, May 16, at Lexington County Blowfish Stadium; and

Whereas, the Skyhawks dropped the opening game of the series but won the next two for the program's first state title since 2013; and

Whereas, calling on his own extensive post-season experience with perennial powerhouse A.C. Flora, this title comes in Coach Chris Braciszewski's inaugural season as head coach of the Skyhawks; and

Whereas, the Skyhawks got a big lift from freshman Jack Weston, who entered the game in the second inning after the first two Hammond pitchers struggled; and

Whereas, the right-hander dominated in his six and two-thirds innings of scoreless relief, giving up just four hits, walking one and striking out nine; and

Whereas, another Skyhawks championship appeared far from certain early on, as Ben Lippen accumulated ten hits in the first two innings and enjoyed a 7-2 lead going into the fourth inning; and

Whereas, Hammond cut the lead to 7-3 on Reece Holbrook's RBI single, but failed to cut further into the lead when Tucker Toman lined out to first with bases loaded to end the inning; and

Whereas, the Skyhawks demonstrated grit and determination in the fifth inning, scoring four runs to tie it at 7-7 without the benefit of even a single hit; and

Whereas, the score remained tied going into the ninth, but Harris Jackson was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and moved to second on a bunt. The Skyhawks loaded the bases after a pair of intentional walks and a fielder's choice. Then, to the delight of the Hammond fans, players, and coaches, Brig Brannon delivered the crucial go-ahead single to left to score Jackson and Graham Wilson to make the score 9-7, and Hammond would go on to plate two more runs to close out the inning; and

Whereas, the journey to winning the state title required discipline, dedication, and team work, qualities that will serve these young men well off the diamond and provide a foundation for success in all of life's challenges. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor the Hammond Skyhawks varsity baseball team, coaches, and school officials for an outstanding season and congratulate them on capturing the 2019 Class 3A School Carolina Independent School Association State Championship title.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Headmaster Chris Angel and Coach Chris Braciszewski of Hammond School.