A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE Pee Dee Academy varsity softball TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR AN OUTSTANDING SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR Garnering THE 2023 SOUTH CAROLINA Independent School Association CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is delighted to learn that the members of the Pee Dee softball team of Marion County won the state title at the South Carolina Independent School Association state championship series held on Monday and Tuesday, May 15 and 16, 2023; and

Whereas, to the excited cheers of their faithful fans, Pee Dee Academy defeated a worthy opponent, Orangeburg Preparatory School, and captured their second consecutive state trophy, finishing the season with a 23-5 record.  The program has accumulated three state championships since 2018; and

Whereas, on Monday, May 15, the Pee Dee Lady Golden Eagles took game one in the best two-of-three series by a crushing score of 12-4 and took the second game in a similar 15-5 victory the following day; and

Whereas, in the second game of the championship series, Pee Dee grabbed an early 2-0 lead on two errors by Orangeburg's Lady Indians and continued to pile up the runs in six innings; and

Whereas, Pee Dee pitcher Jordan Perritt laid the groundwork for the state title, pitching four innings and posting four strikeouts. Teammate Lizzie McCaskill led Pee Dee Academy at the plate going 3-for-4 with a triple and homerun while adding three RBIs. Lady Golden Eagles Baxleigh Arnnette and Ava Fowler each drove-in a pair of runs, and Jordan Perritt had four RBIs in three hits; and

Whereas, in a sport that demands strategy, strength, and precision, Head Coach Will Eskridge and his skilled assistant coaches used their own athletic experience and passion to build a championship-caliber team and teach these athletes life principles that will endure beyond the diamond; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives values the satisfaction and respect that the Pee Dee softball players have brought to their academy and their community, and the members look forward to hearing of their future success 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 Pee Dee Academy varsity softball team, coaches, and school officials for an outstanding season and congratulate them for garnering the 2023 South Carolina Independent School Association Class 3A State Championship title.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Allyson Carmichael, head of Pee Dee Academy, and to Coach Will Eskridge.

----XX----