• 1972 BASEBALL HIGH SCHOOL TEAM

    INDUCTION CLASS OF 2002

     

    In 1972 the Jackson baseball team won the school's first ever Group lll State Championship.

    Coach Larry D' Zio's Jaguars got off to a fast start by winning their first 11 games. They finished strong, with a 22-7 record, outscoring their opponents 178-78.

    John Langford pitched 5 complete games in the playoff with an ERA of 0.00.  Besides 12 game winner Langford, Jackson also got great pitching from 6 game winner Pat Wilson, who helped the Jaguars win the inaugural Ocean County Tournament.

    Leadoff hitter LF John Hartley led the Jags with a .365 average. SS Paul Fanella supplied the power with 5 homers, 34 RBl's and a .363 average.

    Key contributors included:

    • 1st baseman Rick Paynter
    • Catcher Rick Wauters
    • CF Phil Kornbluth
    • RF Ted Burke (who led the team in scoring with 27 runs)
    • 2nd baseman Wayne Mulligan
    • 3nd baseman Ken Sims

     

    Jackson defeated Woodrow Wilson, Shawnee, and Northern Burlington to win the South Jersey Group lll Sectional Title. After the State Semifinal win over North Hunterdon, the Jaguars went on to win the State Title beating Summit 2-1.