MERRY HILL – While he is following a long line of successful players at Lawrence Academy, he’s doing it his own way.

Scott Edge officially committed to Pitt Community College Tuesday morning, ending a recruitment process that saw him offered more than half a dozen opportunities to play collegiate baseball.

“He had opportunities from a lot of places, but I think his heart was always at Pitt Community College,” Lawrence Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach Robert Kravitz said. “It’s a community college, but it is one of the best programs in the country. They have been ranked number one in the nation and made it to the Junior College World Series last year.”

Edge, who is the pitching ace for the Warriors, said he knew PCC was a possible destination all along.

“I’ve always liked Pitt,” he said. “I went to some of their games when I was a kid. I also like the fact the team is good.

“They are used to winning and that was important to me,” he added. “I don’t like to lose.”

Edge chose PCC over offers from UNC-Pembroke, Wingate, Barton, Lenoir-Rhyne, Mars Hill and Pfeiffer.

He said the fact that PCC offers the major he wants was another key factor in his choice.

“I didn’t want to go too far from home and I have always been interested in their electrical program, which is one of the best,” he said. “My dad is an electrician and I want to work with him.”

Edge came to Lawrence his junior season and his been part of two North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association state championships.

He said while he enjoyed that experience, he has also loved playing the game of baseball with a great set of teammates.

“It’s been great knowing all the boys on the team and seeing my friends go off to college to play baseball,” he said. “I’ve been blessed to come here and meet those friends and win championships along with them.”

Edge said he had learned many things at Lawrence that would help him at the next level.

“I’ve learned the value of hard work, discipline and staying within myself,” he said. “I have had to learn not to try to do everything myself, but to rely on the defense that plays behind me as well.”

Edge said he decided to go ahead and make his commitment before this season because he wanted to get the process behind him.

“I wanted to go ahead and commit,” he said. “The recruitment process is a lot of pressure when you’re trying to decide where you want to go and what is best for you. I wanted to get that over with.”

Before he makes the journey to PCC, however, Edge has goals for the upcoming season with the Warriors.

“I want to win another state championship,” he said.

Edge was injured in an accident last year and has been recovering since then. He said the leg was not 100 percent, but it was getting stronger every day and that he intended to be ready to pitch when the season starts.

Kravitz said he was counting on Edge as he has during his previous three seasons.

“He’s the best shut down pitcher I’ve coached at Lawrence,” Kravitz said. “Last year, we were playing Wilson Fike, a 3-A public school, and he had a complete game performance giving up one run and striking out 15.

“That’s the kind of performance he’s capable of,” the coach added.

This season, Edge will also be counted on to provide leadership, something Kravitz feels comfortable he can do.

“Even though he was overshadowed some by a strong senior class last year, he was already growing as a leader,” the coach insisted. “With a sophomore-heavy rotation, he’ll have to continue that role.”

As for PCC, Kravitz said he knew Edge could handle it.

“He has a strong competitiveness and his ability will make him compete for playing time right away either as a starter, reliever or closer,” the coach said. “He can fill any of those roles for Pitt.”

Edge will have that opportunity in another season when he trades in the Green and Gold for a blue and white Bulldog uniform.