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TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE LATTA HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY SOFTBALL TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR A REMARKABLE SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2017 SOUTH CAROLINA CLASS AA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.
Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that the members of the Latta High School softball team of Dillon County swept the championship series to claim the state title on Wednesday, May 17, 2017; and
Whereas, to the cheers of their faithful fans, the Latta Lady Vikings defeated the Buford High School Lady Yellow Jackets 6-5 in the first game in the best-of-three series; and
Whereas, in the second game, Latta squandered a bases loaded opportunity in the third inning, only to reach the bottom of the fifth inning with one out, the bases loaded again, and the score tied at 1. This time, the Lady Vikings posted four runs before the inning was retired; and
Whereas, to load the bases, Latta senior Macy Hyatt singled to left, Kaleigh Caulder walked, Camryn Sawyer reached first on an error then Genesis Anderson drew another walk to bring home the go-ahead run; and
Whereas, teammate Riana Green stepped up to the plate and hit a sacrifice fly to give Latta a 3-1 lead, and Lauren Webster and Jayla Jackson followed by batting in a run each with singles, driving the lead to 5-1 before Buford could get out of the inning; and
Whereas, Genesis Anderson hit a two-run double in the sixth, as part of a three-run surge that put the game out of reach for the Lady Yellow Jackets, and allowed Latta to sweep the series and take its second state trophy in only three years; and
Whereas, the Lady Viking's pitcher Arica Gandy finished her game with a two-hitter with five strikeouts; and
Whereas, in a sport that exacts strength, proficiency, and speed, Head Coach Stephanie Ard played for the Lady Vikings under the late Coach Michael Rogers who accrued five state runner-up finishes in his twenty-two seasons coaching Latta softball; and
Whereas, Coach Ard and her skilled coaching staff passed on Coach Rogers' lessons and maximized their own experience and passion to produce a championship-caliber team, teaching these athletes inestimable lessons for life, both on and off the diamond; and
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives value the respect and recognition that the Latta softball players have brought to their school and their community and expect to hear of 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 Latta High School varsity softball team, coaches, and school officials for a remarkable season and congratulate them for winning the 2017 South Carolina Class AA State Championship title.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Principal Leigh Sloan and Coach Stephanie Ard.
This web page was last updated on February 14, 2018 at 2:44 PM