Posted: Mar 28, 2012
1972 State Championship Baseball Team Celebrates 40th Anniversary
The members of the 1972 state championship baseball team were be welcomed back to Allan Hancock College to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their championship title at the baseball team’s home game on March 31 at 1 p.m.
“We are privileged and honored to be able to host the 1972 state championship team,” said Kim Ensing, associate dean/athletic director, kinesiology, recreation and athletics. “This was a special team, with a special coach, and we relish the opportunity to reconnect with them.”
Led by Coach John Osborne, the 1972 squad was the first and only Hancock baseball team to win a state championship. They ended the season 12-3 and took the Central Conference championship before hosting the state small schools post-season tournament. The Bulldogs won three games in a row, including a 5-2 win over College of the Redwoods, to clinch the state title and finish the season 26-3 overall.
Members of the 1972 team set school records that still stand, including Brian Asselstine’s .426 career batting average. Asselstine, who went on to play for the Atlanta Braves, also has standing records for most bases stolen in one season, 33, and career bases stolen, 55. Two pitchers on the 1972 team claimed multiple complete game shut-outs, Bill Wilson with three and Mac Fisher with two. It was a great season for pitching, as the 1972 team also set the college record for the lowest ERA, an impressive 1.85.
In addition to Asselstine, two other players from the state championship squad made appearances in the majors, Gary House with the Milwaukee Brewers and Jim Draper with the Detroit Tigers.
“We are privileged and honored to be able to host the 1972 state championship team,” said Kim Ensing, associate dean/athletic director, kinesiology, recreation and athletics. “This was a special team, with a special coach, and we relish the opportunity to reconnect with them.”
Led by Coach John Osborne, the 1972 squad was the first and only Hancock baseball team to win a state championship. They ended the season 12-3 and took the Central Conference championship before hosting the state small schools post-season tournament. The Bulldogs won three games in a row, including a 5-2 win over College of the Redwoods, to clinch the state title and finish the season 26-3 overall.
Members of the 1972 team set school records that still stand, including Brian Asselstine’s .426 career batting average. Asselstine, who went on to play for the Atlanta Braves, also has standing records for most bases stolen in one season, 33, and career bases stolen, 55. Two pitchers on the 1972 team claimed multiple complete game shut-outs, Bill Wilson with three and Mac Fisher with two. It was a great season for pitching, as the 1972 team also set the college record for the lowest ERA, an impressive 1.85.
In addition to Asselstine, two other players from the state championship squad made appearances in the majors, Gary House with the Milwaukee Brewers and Jim Draper with the Detroit Tigers.
Click Here to read the story from the Santa Maria Times