AHOSKIE – Holden McClenney drove in the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth inning and sparked a five-run rally to help Lawrence Academy beat Ridgecroft 6-1 in a Tarheel Independent Conference battle Tuesday afternoon.

Lawrence opened the scoring with one run in the top of the fourth frame. Dusty Todd singled to center and went to third on a two-base error in the outfield.

Todd then scored on a Judd Whitehead RBI-groundout to give Lawrence a 1-0 advantage.

Ridgecroft deadlocked the score with a run in the bottom of the fifth frame.

Hill Homewood walked and went to second on a Jeremy Courtright bunt single. With one out, Gavin Mizelle grounded to short and Courtright was forced out. Homewood scored when the throw to first went awry.

The contest remained tied through eight innings.

The Warriors scored five in the top of the ninth to break the stalemate.

Jake Mitchell singled to left and went to second on a wild pitch. Mitchell scored on a McClenney RBI-single to right. Two runs scored on an error and Whitehead had a two-run double to left for the 6-1 final.

Ward pitched all nine innings for Ridgecroft, allowing six runs on six hits with 13 strikeouts.

Andrew Barber started for the Warriors and went four innings. Whitehead finished the final five innings to pick up the win. The two combined for a three-hitter.

&uot;We got great pitching today,&uot; first-year Lawrence skipper Robert Kravitz said. &uot;We got the key hits in the ninth inning. Ridgecroft is a good team and we were fortunate to get this win.&uot;

Lawrence goes to 10-4 on the season and 5-0 inside the TIC while Ridgecroft is 4-2 and has the same record in the league.