SACO — Thornton Academy senior Ben Lambert has been a standout on the Trojans’ football and basketball teams, but the game of baseball has always been special to Lambert – and he will get a chance to play the game he loves at the next level.

Lambert signed his national letter of intent to play baseball at Division II Assumption College on Friday.

For Lambert, the choice came down between several schools in the Northeast-10 Conference, which is the league Assumption competes in.

“I was looking at most of the NE-10 schools, like Franklin Pierce, Merrimack, SNHU,” said Lambert, who felt most at home at Assumption. “I just liked it more because it seemed like a more local school and it was close to some of my other friends who are going to (Worcester Polytechnic Institute.”

Lambert will have one friend on the Assumption campus as Thornton Academy standout wide receiver Corey Hart recently committed to play football for the Greyhounds.

“It will be cool because me and Corey have been on the same teams since the second grade and have been friends since like the first grade,” said Lambert.

Lambert, who has proven to be one of the best pitchers in the state over the past two years, believes his time at Thornton has helped prepare him for college.

“It will help a lot because we take everything here serious,” said Lambert, who helped the TA football team win back-to-back state titles.

TA baseball coach Ray Petit believes Assumption is not only getting a standout pitcher, but an all-around player.

“He’s very athletic and he can play anywhere. I think he has a lot of value,” said Petit, who believes Lambert has made a lot of strides over the last year. “He has matured and he’s a little stronger.”

One thing that makes Lambert stand out is his competitive nature, according to Petit.

“He’s very competitive, so even when he doesn’t have his good stuff, he finds a way to get you out,” said Petit.

Lambert is hoping to help the Greyhounds become a contender in the NE-10.

“Right now they are in a rebuilding process. They got a new coach in the last couple years and they have to go up against SNHU and Franklin Pierce, who are always powerhouses,” said Lambert, who will major in accounting .

The TA senior, who received a scholarship from Assumption, has set simple goals for himself as he prepares for college.

“Academically, obviously, get my degree, and for athletics, I’m just looking to throw harder and get better,” said Lambert.

— Sports Editor Pat McDonald can be reached at [email protected] or at 282-1535 ext. 322. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @ JournalTsports.

TA standout Hart to play football at Assumption

Thornton Academy wide receiver Corey Hart, who helped the Trojans win back-to-back state titles, will also be heading to Assumption College. For more on Hart’s commitment, check out Tuesday’s Journal Tribune.