OUR Q&A

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

Lawrence: When I first started getting into the recruiting process I had very high expectations for myself as I do everything. I knew that if I worked hard enough I could achieve anything in baseball that I wanted too. So l expected myself to be getting division one offers at some point in my high school career because I knew that my hard work was going to pay off. As of what I was looking for in my college of choice it was very simple. I wanted a college that I could visibly see myself contributing at. One of my biggest things I looked for though was a college that had coaches and teammates that really care about you. Having coaches that really seem to care about you and want to get to know you on a personal level is something you really don't see often at the division one level. 

PBR: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?

Lawrence: For me it was a little different because Missouri State is 20 minutes from my house so distance was not a big thing at all. As of location I have grown up in the Springfield area so I have gotten to know it very well. It nice to be able to go to college in a space where you feel comfortable at.

PBR: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?

Lawrence: When I was in 8th grade is really when I started to notice that I could really make it to the next level. I got my first offer my 8th grade summer, so that ended up really making me locked in on training harder to become a better pitcher. The first school I committed to was Mizzou. They had seen me play at a tournament up at Mizzou and they liked what they saw. After a couple months of being committed to Mizzou I had realized I jumped the gun to quick and decommitted. I ended up flipping my commitment to Missouri State University. There was 2 guys on my school ball team that were committed to Missouri State so the coaches had come to watch them play and so they also saw me and how I played.  

PBR: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision?

Lawrence: What I like most about Missouri State is that I love the atmosphere that they have created. Another big key to the reason I chose MSU is that the coaches there really showed interest and me and actually wanted to get to know me on a personal level. It's nice to have coaches that are there for you whenever you need them. The last thing that really lit a spark in me about going there was that it was close to home and so I'm still close to family. 

PBR: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?

Lawrence: Before committing to Mizzou and then switching my commitment to Missouri State I was talking to schools like Louisville, Purdue and a couple other schools.

PBR: Who is the best player you have faced in your state? What about them makes for a tough opponent?

Lawrence: The best hitter I have pitched to in the state would have to be Curry Sutherland (Logan-Rogersville, 2023; Missouri State signee). I know he was on my team but everytime l pitched to him in life ABs it is always a hard battle between us. Everyone else I have pitched to during school ball I have always felt very confident in myself. 

PBR: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college-caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?

Lawrence: I would say in about 8th grade was when I realized because that was when I first started talking to some schools. After that it lit a spark in me and made me want to work even harder to achieve greater things. 

PBR: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?

Lawrence: One thing I would give young baseball players is trust yourself and your ability to do what you do. The biggest thing for me was trusting God's plan and living through his word. You can accomplish anything you put ur mind too. Just trust your path because your path is way different than the person you are trying to complete with.

PBR: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?

Lawrence: I would say our run to state my sophomore year. That's something that a lot of athletes never get to experience so l am so grateful for that opportunity.

PBR: Preview your high school team's season for us. How do you feel your team will be?

Lawrence: Everyday, every week, every year, is a new opportunity and we as a team are ready to take this opportunity and do the best that we can with it. We have a group full of guys that want to win and will do anything to win. We will have a solid year as long as we continue to work hard and stay consistent with it. 

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