LEWISBURG- A couple of weeks ago, Greenbrier East Spartan pitcher Layne Lambert made his college choice official when he pulled the trigger with a commitment to Concord University and decided to further his baseball career in Athens.
Lambert, who has had a good career as a Spartan and went over 100 career strikeouts earlier this season, really liked the atmosphere, the team feel, and the closeness to Greenbrier County that Concord had to offer.
“I have heard a lot of great things about Concord’s baseball program and their ability to develop pitchers. I went on the visit a few weeks back and the guys seemed respectful and hard-working, and I want to be a part of a culture like that,” Lambert said.
“An example would be former Gatorade Player of the Year Atticus Goodson came up and shook mine and my dad’s hand which showed a lot about their character and how Coach (Drew) Bailey wants his program to be. The campus was also great and super easy to get around. On top of that, it’s also close to home,” he added.
The Spartans baseball program is something that the senior has been proud to be a part of and is something that has taught him many lessons along the way.
“Greenbrier East baseball has helped me in more ways than imaginable,” Lambert stated.
“The culture we have built as teammates together has grown the program, and those guys will forever play a part of who I am. As for Coach Mann, he has taught me everything I need to know about the game of baseball, the life lessons within the game, and most importantly, how to be a man. The sacrifice, preparation, accountability, relentlessness, toughness, and attitude have shown me and my teammates the true meaning of living the “Sparta” lifestyle.”
But with Lambert’s success and the path of getting there, it isn’t just his coaches or his teammates. It is also his father, Corey.
“Without a doubt I can proudly say my dad has been my number one supporter throughout my athletic and baseball career,” Lambert said.
“He has been to just about every game since the day I started little league. He has spent a lot of time and money on me to want to see me succeed and be the best player I can be. I will forever be grateful to have the father I do to be there for me no matter the situation. Without my dad, I wouldn’t be the person and player that I am today,” he explained proudly.
Once the high school season is over for Greenbrier East, Lambert will begin thinking about his next step and he already has some ideas of how he hopes things will go.
“I’m looking forward to meeting new people, teammates, and coaches, and also, the development playing at the college level will give me a huge jump to my pitching ability.
As for his personal goals as a Mountain Lion?
“I’m looking to become the best pitcher I can be to help the team win. Not only for myself, but I’m looking to work extremely hard to be the top dog,” he concluded.
