South Jersey Baseball History:
Dateline: April
Tuesday, April 3, 2001
By Charlie Schick
South Jersey Baseball Historical Society
Dateline is a diary of South Jersey baseball that highlights area players, games, events, and outstanding accomplishments in the past history of the great game of baseball. The June dates and facts listed below are taken from the manuscript entitled "A Day's Walk Through South Jersey Baseball."
April 1, 1960 In his very first high school varsity game, Ernie Bauman of Pemberton High tossed a no-hitter against Central Regional High. Pemberton won the contest 5 to 0, as Bauman completely dominated the Central line-up, allowing only four base runners - two on walks and two via errors.
April 2, 1977 The Cherokee High Chiefs varsity baseball team won their first game in the school's short history. They accomplished the feat when their squad defeated J.F. Kennedy High 10 to 8 in a Burlington County Liberty Division contest. Head Coach Chuck Roney's ball club was led offensively by Lou DiPietro and Mike Bailey, as Vic Neilson picked up the win in relief.
April 8, 1952 In it's season opener, Burlington High pitcher Howard "Murphy" Comegy's hurled a 7-inning no-hit, no-run game to shut down Bensalem High 2 to 0. Comegy's brilliant effort featured 9 strikeouts, 1 walk and 2 hit batters. Burlington catcher Tommy Heaton had a key double and run scored in the low scoring contest.
April 11, 1980 Dave Martin, Cherry Hill High East head baseball coach, racked up his 100th victory when his squad defeated Camden High 10 to 6. The winner's hard-hitting Larry Price was a one man show for East's explosive offense, as he hit 2 homeruns and collected 6 RBI in coach Martin's milestone victory.
April 14, 1910 Lena Blackbourne, Riverside NJ, started his major league career playing for the Chicago White Sox of the American League. His first big league season would be spent as a backup shortstop appearing in 75 games. He would go on to record 242 at bats, 42 hits and hit .174 in the 1910 season.
April 16, 1992 Cherry Hill West defeated Westminster Christian High of Florida 7 to 0, to win the Upper Deck Baseball Classic 16-team tournament in Southern California. The Lions finished the Classic with a 4 and 0 record. West's big right-hander Bo Gray was the tourney MVP making the All Upper Deck squad with mates centerfielder Tom Bianco and catcher Dan Farling.
April 21, 1959 Delaware Township High shortstop Wilbur Robinson hit for the cycle in leading his team to a 15-0 pounding of Williamstown High. His 3-run homer in the bottom of the second inning gave the winners a 6 to 0 lead. Offensively the Township's 13-hit attack scored in every inning.
April 27, 1944 With Mt. Holly High's 7 to 1 victory over Florence High, they set a school record with a perfect 11 and 0 record. The winner's outstanding chucker Bill Pettit picking up the win to complete his perfect 6-0 season mark. Hard-hitting first sacker Frank Smith led the 15-hit attack with a 3 for 5 day at the plate.
April 29, 1999 The Lenape High pitching combination of Mike Repsher, Brad Jones and Matt Prizzi hurled a no-hitter to romp past Woodrow Wilson High by the count of 17 to 0. Lenape jumped out to a 14 run lead after just three inning, as they shortened the game to 5-innings due to the 10-run rule. The winner's Jesse Pappler was the offensive hero with 3 hits and 5 RBI.
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