A legendary New Jersey high school baseball coach made sports history earlier this week.

Seton Hall Prep Coach Mike Sheppard Jr. earned his 800th career win when the Pirates defeated Millburn 11-2 on Monday.

“Coach Shep” became just the third coach in New Jersey’s history to reach the milestone, joining Ken Frank of Toms River South and former Christian Brothers Academy coach Marty Kenney.

Sheppard coached one year at West Orange High School before taking over Seton Hall Prep’s program in 1987. He says that he knew he was close to 800 wins leading up to the game, but says that he wasn’t really thinking about it.

“Obviously after the third out of the game and you realize it had been your 800th, I got somewhat a little emotional,” Sheppard says. “I started thinking about different people that were part of the 800 - it wasn't just me, it was a lot of bits and pieces that made up the 800.”

Sheppard’s players say that they are honored to have been a part of the record.

“Coach Shep is a legend in New Jersey, a legend in the country and it's pretty awesome to be a part of his legacy,” says junior Chris Maldonado.

“We never got to play last year, getting to play for Coach Shep is just an honor in itself and getting that 800th win for him his just another amazing thing,” says senior Dominick Carlucci.

Sheppard has won multiple state titles in his 34 years at Seton Hall Prep and has sent players to 40 different Division I baseball programs. He has also coached 17 players that have gone on to play baseball professionally.