AHOSKIE – Lawrence Academy continued their domination of the Tarheel Independent Conference here Monday.

The Warrior baseball squad stopped Ridgecroft School 9-4 in the league opener for both teams.

The Warriors used three runs in the fourth inning to take the lead and never looked back as they took the early advantage in a conference they have subjugated for years.

With the contest tied at 4-all, the Warriors plated three in the top of the fourth frame.

J.T. Lilley doubled to left and then went to third when T.J. Johnston reached on an error. Zack White reached on a two-base error, scoring Lilley and Johnston. White then went to third on a Dusty Todd single and scored on a Judd Whitehead sacrifice fly.

The Warriors scored their final two runs in the top of the seventh stanza on a Jacob Harrell two-run homer to left field.

Lawrence had gained the lead early in the game.

Holden McClenney singled to center and went to second on a Harrell sacrifice. He then scored on a Lilley RBI-double to left field.

Ridgecroft responded with three in the bottom of the second to grab the lead.

Josh Morris walked before Andy Daughtridge reached on a fielder’s choice. They both scored on a Matthew Jones two-run double to right-centerfield. Gavin Mizelle then plated Jones on a single to center that gave the Rams a 3-1 edge.

Lawrence tipped the scaled back to their advantage with three runs in the top of the third inning.

Todd singled to center and scored on a Whitehead RBI-triple. McClenney singled home Whitehead, took second on a wild pitch and scored on a Harrell double to give Lawrence the 4-3 lead.

Ridgecroft knotted up the contest when Brian Britton singled to center to start the bottom of the third. He went to second on a sacrifice by Dillon Lowe and scored on a Morris single to deadlock the score at 4-all.

Johnston picked up the pitching victory for Lawrence when he went five innings. His victory came just yards away from the field where his sister, Jessica, recorded a victory for the Lady Warriors softball team.

Their father, Truitt Johnston, is the coach of the Lady Warriors.

Leading the way for Lawrence offensively was McClenney, who had three hits. Todd, Lilley and Harrell had two each.

Jones and Mizelle led Ridgecroft with two hits each.

&uot;T.J. pitched a good game for us,&uot; second-year Lawrence skipper Robert Kravitz said. &uot;We hit the ball when we had runners in scoring position and that was key.

&uot;Ridgecroft is young, but very good,&uot; he added. &uot;It was a good opening conference win for us.&uot;

The Warriors are 7-1 as they host Northeast Academy today at 4 p.m.

Ridgecroft is 0-1 and will play at Pungo Christian Academy in Belhaven at 4 p.m.