Jackson Little League Team Hoping to Make History Tonight

A win tonight against Somerset Hills will give the Jackson Little League Team their first New Jersey State Championship title and a trip to the Eastern Regional Tournament in Bristol, Connecticut later this week.

The Regional Tournament is the final stepping stone to the Little League World Series Championship in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Jackson Little League Team Manager Evan Glaser said he is cautiously optimistic about tonight's game in Hammonton. His team lost to Somerset Hills Friday night, 12-1, then came back to beat them Sunday night, 20-8, after defeating Monroe Saturday night, 12-4, in the loser's bracket to force a rematch.

"You can't assume anything. We have to go out there tonight, compete and prepare for a battle," said Glaser.

Glaser complimented Somerset Hills and pointed out how both teams are evenly matched.

"They're a great team. I think we're built very similar in the sense that both teams can hit with a lot of power. Both teams play defense," he said.

Expectations for this talented Jackson Little League Team have been high from the beginning of the season, according to Glaser.

"This team at 10-years-old and 11-years-old made it to the state championship game both years. So they have been a quality team for a couple of years, but you know, you can never just assume you're going to get back to where you were in the past, you have to earn it," Glaser said.

He added, "I'm proud of these boys. They've been working really, really hard since the beginning of June preparing for this moment and I'm just honored to be a part of it."