Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s baseball program will experience Clarkston’s version of three’s company next spring. Left-handed pitcher Josh Lawrence joined fellow pitcher Josh Hall, signing with KVCC in June. The pair will meet up with 2006 Clarkston grad Dave Brelinski, already playing with the Cougars.
Lawrence, who racked up a 10-4 record since his sophomore season at Clarkston, is the fourth Wolves player from 2007 to sign collegiately.
Lawrence, who stands 6-foot-6, is known for his curve ball and breaking pitches, and typically throws in the low-80s.
‘He has a lot of movement on his curve and slider and that helps his fastball,? Clarkston coach Phil Price said. ‘I can see good things happening to him.?
Lawrence was working harder in his senior season, Price said, and became more consistent and reliable for the Wolves.
Lawrence is coming off a quality summer pitching for the American Legion Chief Pontiac team which made their way to the state tournament and finished fourth in Michigan.
‘Who wouldn’t want a left-handed pitcher, (his height), with all the tools he has,? Chief Pontiac coach Doug Brady said.
‘He’s intimidating and he varies his delivery spot. He’s very effective.?
Lawrence’s willingness to learn from coaches should benefit him, Brady said.
‘He’s teachable. He’s wants to learn and he’s there to learn,? Brady said. ‘He’ll be a lot for those guys to work with over there. It’ll be interesting.?
Lawrence, 18, had his college plans temporarily placed on hold when he broke his wrist last November during a pickup basketball game. Offseason strength and throwing exercises, in addition to workouts for college coaches, were pushed aside as Lawrence rehabbed the injury for almost two months.
‘They said it was really serious,? Lawrence said. ‘The whole offseason I couldn’t do anything to strengthen my arm. I had to play catch up when the season started.?
Coming back, Lawrence said he didn’t notice a difference in his pitching ability.
‘Who knows what I could have gained throughout the offseason,? Lawrence wondered.
Lawrence, Clarkston’s No. 2 pitcher behind Hall, was one of three in a left-handed core for the Wolves. With Chief Pontiac, Lawrence, along with Erik Phillips and Joel Lange, was part of an all lefty group of starters.
A talent-rich OAA Division I, the conference in which the Wolves play, helped prep the lefty for college.
‘There’s a lot of good players,? Lawrence said. ‘A lot of Division I (college) players.?
To follow Lawrence, Hall, Brelinski and the Cougars in the spring, visit www.njcaa.org.