[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 12, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3233-S3234]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



   Recognizing Ole Miss Rebels and the Pearl River Community Wildcats

  Mr. WICKER. Mr. President, for the second year in a row, the State of 
Mississippi is the center of the universe for college baseball. Senator 
Hyde-Smith and I are proud and delighted this afternoon to congratulate 
not one but two Mississippi collegiate baseball teams on becoming 
national champions for their respective divisions this year. Those 
teams are the Ole Miss Rebels and the Pearl River Community Wildcats.
  It was just last year that the Mississippi State Bulldogs won their 
first-ever College World Series national championship. And with the new 
year, came even more successful baseball in Mississippi.
  Last month, after sweating out selection day, Ole Miss went to the 
NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament and won 10 out of 11 games, 
sweeping Oklahoma in the final round of the College World Series to 
become national champions.
  Just weeks earlier, Pearl River Community College, located in 
Poplarville, MS, defeated Madison College of Wisconsin in the Division 
II Junior College World Series. After spending the entire season ranked 
in the top five, Pearl River won five out of six games in the playoffs, 
defeating Florida State College at Jacksonville, Lansing Community 
College, and, finally, Madison College in a three-game series finale.
  The Wildcats dropped game one to Madison, but then roared back with a 
19-to-1 victory in game 2 and a decisive 7-to-2 victory in game 3. They 
finished their season with a sparkling record of 45 wins and 11 losses.
  Just think about this for a moment. Three college baseball national 
titles in 2 years for the State of Mississippi.
  Congratulations also go to the University of Southern Mississippi, 
which had an excellent season and even hosted their first super 
regional in Hattiesburg, ending with a record of 47 wins and 19 losses.
  This year's Ole Miss championship run is a comeback story for the 
ages. After spending the early parts of the season ranked No. 1 in the 
Nation, the Rebels went into a deep slump in April, losing 4 straight 
series and 11 out of 16 games. In May, they were among the last 4 teams 
to be included in the field of 64. But they had finished the regular 
season hot, and some people believed they just might carry that 
momentum into the playoffs. And they did, outscoring their opponents 46 
runs to 11 down the stretch.
  Led by Coach Mike Bianco and Team Captain Tim Elko, Ole Miss beat one 
team after another--first Arizona and Miami in the regional, then 
Southern Miss in the Hattiesburg Super Regional, then Auburn and 
Arkansas in the College World Series, which led to a final best two out 
of three face-off with Oklahoma.
  Game one was a slugfest. The Rebels put up 16 hits, including back-
to-back-to-back home runs in the eighth inning by T.J. McCants, Calvin 
Harris, and Justin Bench--a stunning feat not seen at the College World 
Series since 1998.
  On the mound, the Ole Miss pitchers kept things quiet. Jack 
Dougherty, Mason Nichols, and Josh Mallitz gave up just three runs, 
securing a 10-to-3 victory.
  The decisive game two was a lot closer. For the first five innings, 
it was a pitchers' duel between Ole Miss's Hunter Elliot of Tupelo, MS, 
and Cade Horton of Norman, OK. The bats finally got going for Ole Miss 
in the sixth when Jacob Gonzalez hit a solo home run. The Sooners 
quickly answered by knocking in two runs, making it 2 to 1, Oklahoma. 
In the eighth inning, Ole Miss tied things up with hits by T.J. 
McCants, Justin Bench, and Jacob Gonzalez, and scored two additional 
runs on wild pitches, making it 4 to 2.
  In the top of the ninth, Brandon Johnson took the mound for Ole Miss 
and closed out the night with three strikeouts, capping off a magical 
run for the men from Oxford.
  ``From last team in, to last team standing,'' exclaimed the 
announcer.
  And then to Oxford they returned, bringing with them the 30th NCAA 
championship in Ole Miss history.
  The day after winning the title, these national champions were 
welcomed back to campus by crowds of jubilant supporters as they walked 
the hallowed pathway known as the Walk of Champions.
  On behalf of the entire State of Mississippi, I commend the Ole Miss 
team and their staff on this historic achievement. Justin Bench, Calvin 
Harris, Kevin Graham, Kemp Alderman, and Dylan DeLucia all were named 
to the NCAA's All-Tournament Team.
  Dylan DeLucia received the Jack Diesing, Sr. Most Outstanding Player 
of the Series award for pitching a complete game shutout against the 
Arkansas Razorbacks, becoming the first recipient of the award in Ole 
Miss history. And Captain Tim Elko became only the sixth player in 
history to earn four hits in a Men's College World Series final--not to 
mention his 46 career home runs, the second most in school history.
  I also congratulate Mike Bianco, who has coached Ole Miss for 22 
seasons and led the team to 18 playoff appearances,

[[Page S3234]]

including two trips to the College World Series in Omaha. He has 
rightly been named National Coach of the Year by the American Baseball 
Coaches Association and the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. He never 
gave up on his team, and he inspired his players to persevere through 
the tough times.
  I wish Coach Bianco the best of luck this week as he now leads Team 
USA at an international tournament in the Netherlands, where he is 
joined by two Ole Miss players, Hunter Elliott and Jacob Gonzalez.
  I also congratulate Michael Avalon, Head Coach for the Pearl River 
Wildcats, who, after leading his team to a national title, was named 
National Coach of the Year for Division II junior colleges.
  I commend the University of Mississippi, Pearl River Community 
College, the University of Southern Mississippi, and Mississippi State 
University for carrying on Mississippi's winning tradition.
  Two years ago, after a season cut short by the COVID pandemic, Ole 
Miss catcher Hayden Dunhurst boldly said:

       I have never been a part of a team so special . . . We will 
     bring a National Championship to Oxford.

  And so they did. Congratulations and Hotty Toddy.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Mississippi.
  Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, I also am very pleased to 
congratulate the University of Mississippi baseball team on its recent 
2022 NCAA World Series championship.
  If there is anything an Ole Miss fan is sure of it is that the Rebels 
love to keep you on the edge of your seat. Some fans were nervous when 
the Rebels hit a midseason slump, but, boy, this talented team hit its 
stride right at the perfect time.
  The players knew all along they had it in them to take it all the 
way. They even issued a warning in early May: Don't let the Rebels get 
hot. Well, the Rebels did get hot, and they were able to be there to be 
the team that no one saw coming and the team that no one could stop.
  Their impressive and exciting run through this year's College World 
Series speaks volumes to the Ole Miss baseball program, its leadership, 
its players, and, of course, its fan base.
  Mississippi's energy has been electric following the win, especially 
at Ole Miss's first-ever national baseball championship this year 
occurred after Pearl River Community College clinched the NJCAA 
Division II baseball championship in June and after Mississippi State 
University's win just last year.
  Mississippi's sports culture is strong and it is not to be 
underestimated. We take great pride in the legacy and inspiring example 
of these young athletes and their coaches.
  To the entire Rebel baseball family, thank you for your hard work and 
dedication to the sport. To Ole Miss and to our great State, 
congratulations and Hotty Toddy.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. WICKER. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
order for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DURBIN. I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum 
call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Peters). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  The majority whip.