A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE Catawba Ridge High School varsity softball team, coaches, and school officials for an extraordinary season and congratulate them for winning the 2023 SOUTH CAROLINA CLASS AAAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that the members of the Catawba Ridge softball team of York County captured the 2023 state title on Thursday, May 25, 2023, the first team state title in the school's four-year history; and

Whereas, Catawba Ridge took the first game against a competitive South Florence High School in the best two-of-three championship series. South Florence Lady Bruins rallied from a 4-0 deficit to reverse the lead 6-5 going into the bottom of the seventh inning, but Catawba Ridge was able to pull out a 7-6 win; and

Whereas, Catawba Ridge in a back-and-forth second game managed to sweep the series with a 10-7 win in the second game and garnered the state title amid ecstatic cheers of their exuberant fans; and

Whereas, the Lady Copperheads scored in the top of the first inning of the second game on an RBI single from Braylon Lawrence. South Florence scored two in the bottom of the inning. Catawba Ridge tied the game in the second inning with a run from pinch runner Ally Testerman, and Audrey Wilson drove in a run scoring Jaidyn Harris to take the lead; and

Whereas, the Lady Bruins scored a run to tie the game and hit three singles in the bottom of the third to take the lead back. Catawba's Jenna Gardner scored after a failed pickoff attempt, and another single by Sara Rocheleau put the Lady Copperheads back on top 5-4 by scoring Kyrsten Reynolds; and

Whereas, an RBI double in the sixth inning scored for Catawba, and the second error of the inning gave the team another run. Then Kendra Murray doubled in Audrey Wilson, extending the Lady Copperheads lead. Hitting then became contagious as Catawba's Braylon Lawrence doubled in two more runs to make it 9-4 with only one out in the sixth.  In the bottom of the inning, South Florence added one on a sacrifice and then scored two more RBIs on a two-run single. Catawba Ridge added a run in the seventh inning when Ally Testerman scored on an RBI by Jaidyn Harris; and

Whereas, Audrey Wilson led the Lady Copperheads in the second game by going 3 for 3 with two doubles and two RBIs. Teammate Braylon Lawrence went 2 for 4 with three RBIs. Sara Rocheleau, South Carolina Player of the Year, hit 2 for 5 with an RBI, and Jenna Gardner was 2 for 4; and

Whereas, Catawba Ridge's Chloe Burger pitched a complete game and clinched the state title on a strikeout. A University of South Carolina Upstate commit, she went the distance, allowing nine hits and five earned runs with three strikeouts. Catawba Ridge finished the season with a 26-3 record; and

Whereas, in a sport that requires strength, strategy, and speed, Head Coach Michael Kidd in his sixth year at Catawba Ridge and his skilled coaching staff used their own athletic ability and training to mold a championship team and teach these athletes life principles that will endure beyond the diamond; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives appreciates the pride and recognition that the Catawba Ridge softball players have brought to their school and their community, and the members look forward to following their continued achievements in the days ahead. 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 Catawba Ridge High School varsity softball team, coaches, and school officials for an extraordinary season and congratulate them for winning the 2023 South Carolina Class AAAA State Championship title.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Principal James Ledford and Coach Michael Kidd.

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