LHS makes playoffs by edging HoVal, then lose four in a row after deadline.
By: Tim Falls
The Lawrence High School varsity baseball game only won one of its last five games.
It was still enough to clinch a spot in the NJSIAA Group IV Central Jersey Tournament.
A 5-4 victory over Hopewell Valley last Wednesday overpowered the 10-9 loss to Notre Dame last Friday and left the Cardinals with a 10-9 record at the qualifying deadline.
The Cardinals finished the week over .500 and that’s what they needed to reach the state tournament for the first time since 1998.
"It’s the first time we’ve made it since I’ve been coaching," said Lawrence coach Brian Carter. "It’s always one of our goals. It’s a goal of ever high school team whether they say so or not."
Taylor Smith scored on a groundout by Kevin Raymond in the bottom of the sixth as the Cardinals edged the Bulldogs by a run.
Smith struck out eight in the win, including three in the seventh inning to close out the game, but gave up eight hits and two walks.
Carter credited the pitching for giving Lawrence the wins it needed to qualify.
"Every game we’ve won," said Carter, "it’s been because of our pitching."
After securing the playoff spot, Lawrence dropped the next four games. Notre Dame edged the Cardinals by a run last Friday and then Nottingham shut out Lawrence, 10-0, last Saturday.
Steinert defeated Lawrence, 13-2, on Tuesday.
"We’ve strung together enough good wins when we needed to," said Carter.
Lawrence had an opportunity to turn things around in a game against Trenton scheduled for Wednesday, and the Cardinals face Steinert again in a Mercer County consolation-round game today.
"We’re both Group IV teams getting ready for the state tournament," said Carter. To get ready the Cardinals need to sure up their defense.
"We’re going to need to make a few more plays than we’re used to," said Carter. "We can’t afford to give up any extra runs like we’ve become accustomed to."
The Cardinals have it in them to win games.
Lawrence won three of four games the previous week to get in position to reach the state tournament with a win over Hopewell Valley.
The Cardinals also opened their season with a 6-1 record, taking six straight after a close loss to Pennington opening day.