MERRY HILL – It was an early battle of top-ranked clubs.

Tuesday afternoon saw Parrott Academy, the state’s second-ranked 2-A club, pay a visit to the two-time defending state softball champion and 1-A number one ranked Lawrence Academy.

The Lady Warriors continued to show their mettle, despite being a young team that is severely undermanned at the moment.

Thanks to multiple-hit performances from senior Jodi White and Ruth Stotesbury as well as freshman Lee Ann Eubanks, Lawrence secured a 5-2 win on their home field.

&uot;I’m really pleased with the way we played Tuesday,&uot; second-year coach Truitt Johnston said. &uot;We learned a lot in our first two games that we put together for Tuesday.&uot;

The Warriors started the scoring in the bottom of the second inning when Rea singled and went to second when Alicia Bullock drew a walk. Ashtyn Mizelle then plated Rea on an RBI-single to give Lawrence a 1-0 lead.

After Parrott scored to make it 1-all, White led off the bottom of the third frame with a triple and then scored on Rea’s RBI-single to make it 2-1.

Clinging to that one-run lead, the Lady Warriors opened up the contest with three runs in the bottom of the fourth.

Eubanks started the inning with a single, but was erased when Bullock reached on a fielder’s choice. Mizelle then reached on an error, setting the table for Stotesbury’s two-RBI double.

Senior hurler Jessica Johnston then brought Stotesbury home on a run-scoring double to make it 5-1.

Parrott added another run in the top of the sixth to get within three, but never got closer.

Johnston allowed five hits and two earned runs in picking up her second win of the season. She struck out five and walked three.

The Lady Warriors (2-1) were at home Wednesday afternoon against Northeastern High School, but the game finished too late for press time.