Baseball
By: Mike Molaro
Statistics can show a team’s won-loss record, but they can’t measure the size of that team’s heart and soul.
It would be quite easy for the Lawrence High School baseball squad to play out the string and wrap up its 2000 season.
But that’s not the philosophy Brian Carter has brought to the program and it’s not how the Cardinals are responding to their rookie head coach.
Anyone who watched gut-wrenching 3-2, eight-inning loss Tuesday at Colonial Valley Conference-rival Steinert saw Lawrence (8-14 overall, 6-8 in the CVC) put forth one of its best efforts of the year.
The Cardinals hung tough against one of the best teams in the state, as sophomore right hander Kevin Schneider threw six strong innings while facing the potent Spartan lineup.
Senior Jason Smith had a run-scoring double in the top of the second and Weiner scored the second Cardinal run on a passed ball.
“We played a great game,” said Carter. “It would’ve been simple for our guys to go through the motions but we went out and fought them all the way. This team showed me something today. I’m proud of the way we played and how we battled.
“Kevin (Schneider) threw a great game,” he continued. “He made just one mistake (a two-run homer). Eric (Weiner) pitched well in the seventh and eighth innings. They scored the winning run on a slow roller in front of the plate and the runner from third just beat the throw home. Our guys played a great baseball game.
Carter said the effort stood up well against some of the Cardinals’ previous achievements this year.
“This was definitely one of our better games this year,” Carter added. “It’s up there with Lawrenceville Prep and Notre Dame. Steinert came out a little flat and we were loose. There was no pressure on us. Kevin (Schneider) started out strong and that gave us confidence.
“As the game progressed our guys felt that we had a chance to come of this with a ‘W.’ It would’ve been nice to win this game, but we played a great game.”
In a 13-7 home setback to CVC foe West Windsor-Plainsboro on May 18, junior catcher C.J. Hendricks was 2-for-3 with a two-run single. Weiner also was 2-for-3, with an RBI triple.
Smith drove in a run with a double, sophomore Mike Bruschini was 2-for-4 with a run batted in, and junior Kyle Anderson drove in a run.
NOTES: Lawrence defeated Trenton, 12-4, Wednesday afternoon and lost to Hopewell Valley, 6-5, on Thursday … The Steinert game was originally scheduled for Monday but was moved back a day due to inclement weather.