ROANOKE, Va. – For the past three decades there’s been one constant in place for North Cross baseball--head coach Eric Lawrence. But, the veteran coach who has been in place for the past thirty years will hang up his cleats at the end of the season.
“I’ve always felt like it’s about the kids, relationships, teach them how to buy in and sacrifice,” Lawrence said. “That part does not change as far as I’m concerned at the high school level.”
North Cross fielded a rather young team this season, just one lone senior to go with a number juniors, sophomores and even a few freshmen. But their effort on the field put the program and coach Lawrence in a unique position Tuesday afternoon.
As the team prepared to host visiting Carlisle school for the Blue Ridge Athletic Conference quarterfinals, the Raiders understood the evening could be much more special with a win. Coach Lawrence sat at 299 career wins with the chance to reach the big 300 milestone.
“I’m thankful this team right here has the opportunity to win this game because the deserve it, they’ve earned it. They’ve worked hard and they’re the ones that got me to this point and I want it for them as much as I want it for me,” Lawrence said ahead of Tuesday evening’s match-up.
Lawrence and his wife were honored during a pregame ceremony by North Cross athletic director Jeremy Eubank with a commemorative plaque, highlighting 30 years of service to the baseball program.
On the field, the Raiders defeated the Chiefs 5-2 earning Lawrence that elusive 300th victory and a spot in the BRAC semifinals.