TO APPLAUD THE MCBEE HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL TEAM FOR A SPECTACULAR PERFORMANCE DURING THE 2019 SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THE PLAYERS AND THEIR COACHES ON TAKING HOME THEIR FOURTH CLASS A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

Whereas, after an impressive run to the state championship in 2018, the McBee High School baseball team began the 2019 season with high expectations. With eight returning starters and nine seniors, the Panthers were the preseason number-one 1A team in South Carolina. Predictions of their high success held true, and the Panthers nabbed their second consecutive Class A baseball championship, dispatching Green Sea Floyds 7-3 on Tuesday, May 14, 2019. McBee had already defeated the Trojans 2-0 in the first game of the best-of-3 series; and

Whereas, from the beginning of the title game, McBee put pressure on Green Sea Floyds to play sound defense and make pitches in big moments. The Panthers scored a run in the first inning, three in the second, and two more in the third inning, to all but bury the Trojans. McBee pitcher Clark Kirkley pitched a complete game, mixing speeds often to keep the Trojan hitters off balance and using an expanding strike zone to his advantage throughout the contest; and

Whereas, McBee snagged its fourth baseball state title (its third in the last four years) with the win and finished the season with a 24-4 record. The win also gave McBee more baseball state championships than any other high school in Chesterfield County; and

Whereas, in addition, the Panthers' 24 wins set a record for the most single-season wins in the school's history, and the team had a 15-game winning streak. Coach Chris Lloyd, rightly proud of his players, testified to the hard work that earned these results, hard work put in by every team member; and

Whereas, to no one's surprise and everyone's satisfaction, Clark Kirkley, Connor Kirkley, and Jamie Tamburrino were named to the South Carolina Baseball Coaches Association All-State Team, and Connor Kirkley was named 1A Player of the Year for the second straight year; and

Whereas, the Panthers truly have given their school and community reason to be proud of their accomplishments, and the members of the House take great pleasure in adding their collective voice to the many encomiums flowing in to this outstanding group of young athletes. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, applaud the McBee High School baseball team for a spectacular performance during the 2019 season and congratulate the players and their coaches on taking home their fourth Class A State Championship title.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Josh McLaurin, principal, and Coach Chris Lloyd of McBee High School.