by Scott Sacry, Sports Editor
Hamilton’s Cash Lawrence was awarded the 2024-25 Gatorade Montana Baseball Player of the Year on June 2nd. The award celebrates the nation’s top high school athletes for excellence on the field, in the classroom and in the community.
Lawrence, a pitcher and third baseman, led Hamilton to a 17-4 record and a 4th place finish at the state tournament in May. Lawrence went 7-0 with a 1.11 ERA and had 60 strikeouts in 44 innings this season. Opponents batted just .120 against him and he recorded a 0.750 WHIP. Lawrence had a one-hit shutout and struck out nine batters in Hamilton’s 1-0 first round win over Skyview at the 2025 State Tournament on May 22.
Hamilton’s Cash Lawrence was awarded the 2024-25 Gatorade Montana Baseball Player of the Year on June 2nd. Lawrence went 7-0 with a 1.11 ERA and had 60 strikeouts in 44 innings this season. Opponents batted just .120 against him and he recorded a 0.750 WHIP. Photo by Scott Sacry.
Lawrence has volunteered locally as part of the Broncs Street Cleanup initiative, has been a youth baseball umpire, and has been an instructor at youth baseball camps.
“Cash is very passionate about the game and has an extraordinary work ethic,” said Hamilton baseball head coach Trevor Paro. “He’s the kind of player every team wants. His commitment is unmatched, he’s a natural leader and his effort is contagious. He’s a big reason Hamilton won the sportsmanship award in 2024.”
Lawrence was a 2024 Academic All-State selection and has maintained a 3.67 GPA in the classroom. Next year will be his senior year.
This is the third time an athlete from Hamilton High School has won a Gatorade Player of the Year award. Taylor Goligoski won it twice for girls basketball in 2012-2013 and 2014-2015, and Carson Rostad won it for football in 2018-2019.
The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in each of the 50 states for high school football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, and boys and girls track & field.