A powerful aspect of an award is the affirmation it can give to the recipient.

Windsor High School senior baseball player Lance Sexton is enjoying that kind of support this weekend after having been selected last year to compete in the 2015 Under Armour All-America Pre-Season Tournament in Mesa, Ariz., that runs through Sunday.

The teams competing in the tournament are made up of high-level high school baseball talent from all around the nation.

“It’s very exciting to be chosen like this from a small town like where I live,” said Sexton. “It’s a very big deal to me.”

Helping make his selection possible is his affiliation with Baseball Factory, an organization that, according to its website, builds “the most complete student-athlete both on and off the field by providing world class instruction, life changing experiences and new opportunities that springboard student-athletes to the right college fit.”

Baseball Factory has helped to get the word out about Sexton, and it has given him the opportunity to showcase his skills in some nice venues.

He was one of only three players from Virginia chosen to play this weekend at Cubs Park.

Sexton says his willingness to give his best, both on and off the field.

“I keep good grades, and I also try my best on the field,” he said. “I don’t slack.”

His father, mother and sister accompanied him to Arizona on Thursday, and before leaving, his father expressed what it meant to see his son receive the honor of this selection and the opportunity of this weekend.

“I’m proud of him, of course, but Lance has always had a good work ethic,” Don Sexton said. “I work in construction. He will work for me just as hard in construction as he does when he’s playing sports.”

Applied in the classroom, Lance Sexton’s impressive work ethic has yielded a 3.98 grade point average.

Don Sexton said performance in the classroom is one of Under Armour’s selections criteria.

“They want to see not just the best athletes, they want to see people who are well-rounded,” he said.

Participants in this weekend’s tournament will represent their region on a team and compete in three games.

College and MLB scouting departments have been invited, and the players’ highlight reels will be readily available for those who are interested.

Pro scouts representing numerous MLB teams have attended the event over the past few years and some will work on field with players as part of the coaching staff.

The event could serve as a major springboard for Lance Sexton.

He said he has played baseball since he was about 5 and is entering his fourth year for the Dukes this spring. He plays catcher primarily.

His goal in the sport is “to hopefully, one day, maybe play in the Major Leagues,” he said.

As for his college path, Sexton said, “It’s undecided right now. I’m still in the talking process.”

Schools that are part of the conversation include Virginia Military Institute, Randolph-Macon College, Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee and Hood College in Maryland.

Though feelings of nervousness would be expected in the face of this weekend, Sexton said he was feeling the opposite on Thursday.

“I’m actually pretty relaxed,” he said. “It’s just very relaxing in a way, because it just makes you feel good for being chosen.”

Sexton will be recognized for his Pre-Season selection tonight at the Opening Awards Ceremony during which he will also hear from keynote speaker Dayton Moore, general manager of the Kansas City Royals.