WINDSOR – Joseph Eure was at a crossroads.

The Bertie High School senior needed to decide how he wanted to  spend his post-prep career.

He decided to step up his academic work and bank on a future in collegiate baseball. Last week, that decision paid off when he signed with College of the Albemarle to play baseball next season.

“Joseph has meant a lot to our program,” Bertie High School baseball boss Randy Whitaker said. “Over the last couple of years, he’s matured a lot. He’s been a leader who has helped hold things together during the bad times.

“The guys look up to him and he’s been a good role model,” Whitaker added.

He said the work in the classroom had made a world of difference.

“One of the biggest things is he decided last year he wanted to work harder in the classroom and give himself this chance,” the coach said. “This year he has worked hard and I give him all the credit for that.”

Eure said his decision was made based on what was best for his future.

“If you want to play baseball, you have to get the school work done and that’s what I did,” he said.

Eure said he chose College of the Albemarle because he already had two friends – Joseph Brantley and Blake Hill – who were already at the school.

“I watched them play a couple of times this season,” he said. “I wanted to play baseball and it was a good opportunity to play where my friends were.”

Eure said one of the main things he had learned at Bertie was keeping a good attitude on the field.

He said he would take that attitude and a good work ethic to COA.

“He’s going to work hard and be a leader for them,” Whitaker said. “He will pitch some and have the opportunity to hit.”

Eure said he was excited about the opportunity and intended to make the most of it.