Hancock to Honor 1972 State Championship Baseball Team During Special Pregame Ceremony on Thursday, March 30

Allan Hancock College will honor members of the 1972 State Championship baseball team during a pre-game ceremony on Thursday, March 30. The Bulldogs will host Santa Barbara City College in a Western State Conference game at 2:30 p.m. at John Osborne Field.

"We are privileged and honored to host the 1972 state championship team," said Kim Ensing, the college's associate dean and athletic director. "This was a special team, with a special coach, and we relish the opportunity to welcome them back home 45 years after they made school history."

Led by Coach Osborne, the 1972 team was the first and only Hancock baseball team to win a state championship. The Bulldogs won the Central Coast championship that year before hosting the Small Schools State Tournament. Hancock topped College of the Redwoods 5-2 in the championship game to finish the season 26-3 overall and earn the title of state champions.

Players from the 1972 team still hold many individual program records. Brian Asselstine, who went on to play for the Atlanta Braves, still owns the Hancock records with a .426 career batting average, 33 stolen bases in a single-season, and 55 career stolen bases. The pitching staff compiled a program-best 1.85 ERA.

In addition to Asselstine, two other members of the team signed with Major League teams, Gary House with the Milwaukee Brewers and Jim Draper with the Detroit Tigers.

Osborne will be on hand to welcome back his players. He won 698 games with the Bulldogs in 31 seasons.