84R20439 BGU-D
By: Burkett H.R. No. 2124
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Sunnyvale High School baseball team reached the
pinnacle of success by winning the 2014 University Interscholastic
League 2A state championship on June 5 at the Dell Diamond in Round
Rock; and
WHEREAS, After capturing a share of the District 12-2A
regular season title, the Raiders began their march through the
postseason with consecutive two-game sweeps of S&S Consolidated and
Paradise High Schools to advance to the regional quarterfinals;
there, they split the first two games and then pulled out a
series-clinching 8-4 extra-innings victory over their district
rivals from Farmersville High School in Game 3; Sunnyvale
subsequently bested the squads from Hughes Springs and Grandview
High Schools to secure the program's debut trip to the state
tournament; and
WHEREAS, In the semifinals, the Raiders found themselves in a
hard-fought contest against East Bernard High School in which the
score was tied entering the final inning; Jose Castillo's squeeze
bunt scored Lawson Ayo to give Sunnyvale a 4-3 lead, and in the
bottom half of the inning, Wesley Phillips picked off a runner with
the bases loaded to send the Raiders to the championship contest in
dramatic fashion; and
WHEREAS, Matching up against Troy High School with the state
crown on the line, Sunnyvale benefited from exceptional
performances by Seth Metzger, who sparked the offense with a
three-run homer, and Nathan Hawkins, who struck out 11 opposing
hitters in a complete-game performance that earned him the Most
Valuable Player honor; when the final out was recorded, the team
captured the first state baseball title in school history with a
dominant 13-3 triumph; and
WHEREAS, Excelling with a true team effort, the Raiders also
received significant contributions throughout the season from the
other members of the roster: Matt Dotson, Zander Thompson, Evan
Adrian, Conner Mears, Ryan Cottingame, Brant Taylor, Joey Rosato,
Curt Fitzgerald, Cash Goodhart, Dawson Williams, Sam Shaver, and
Jake Wilcox; the players were ably guided by head coach Tim Arden
and assistant coach Brandon Kajihiro; and
WHEREAS, Winning a state championship represents the
culmination of countless hours of hard work and an unwavering
commitment to excellence, and the talented student-athletes of the
Sunnyvale baseball team may indeed reflect with pride on their
remarkable accomplishment; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate the Sunnyvale High School baseball
team on winning the 2014 UIL 2A state championship and extend to the
team's players, coaches, and staff sincere best wishes for
continued success; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the team as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.