HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 836 Offered January 31, 2007 Commending the James River High School softball team. ---------- Patrons-- Putney and Fralin ----------

WHEREAS, the James River High School softball team, from Botetourt County, won its third Virginia High School League Group A state championship in four years in June 2006 by defeating Essex High School, 3–2, in the state title game; and

WHEREAS, having lost a number of key players from the 2005 team to graduation, the James River Knights fielded a young team in 2006, relying on a sophomore pitcher and seven new starters in the field; and

WHEREAS, led by veteran catcher and senior Shannon Austin, the Knights exceeded expectations and finished the season with a 22–6 record; and

WHEREAS, to reach the state finals, the Knights had to win a road game against Honaker High School in the quarterfinals and then faced a rematch with John Battle High School in the semifinals, the team that beat them in the Region C final; and

WHEREAS, after dispatching John Battle, 2–1, the James River Knights were primed for the championship game, where they took on Essex; and

WHEREAS, in a tense game, the Knights led 2–0 in the second inning, Essex tied the game in the third, and then both teams were scoreless for the next four innings until James River broke through in the eighth inning when Greer Sullivan scored the winning run on a hit by Kallie Cox; and

WHEREAS, sophomore pitcher Abbie Rexrode was impressive all season, finishing with a 21–4 record and striking out 17 in the championship game; and

WHEREAS, the spectacular performance of the 2006 James River High School softball team is a tribute to the talent, dedication, and perseverance of the players; the leadership of Coach John Shotwell and his staff; and the support of the students, faculty, and parents of James River High School and the community of Buchanan; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend and congratulate the James River High School softball team on its 2006 Group A state championship; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Coach John Shotwell as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the James River Knights' triumphant season.