MERRY HILL – A big third inning lifted Lawrence Academy to victory.

The Lady Warriors plated seven runs in the third inning and went on to defeat Northeast Academy 9-1 here Thursday afternoon.

Jennifer White picked up her fourth pitching victory of the season, going seven innings and allowing one run on two hits. She struck out three.

Lawrence, who has not lost a Tarheel Independent Conference game in three years, got things going in the first inning when Sarah Capehart led off the home half of the inning with a single to left.

She scored moments later when Debbie Stotesbury tripled to right-center. Stotesbury scored on an error on the play to make it 2-0.

Northeast got their first baserunner in the top of the second stanza when Megan Bridgers singled to left with two outs. She was left stranded after a strikeout.

After the first batter of the winning was retired in the bottom of the third, Lawrence scored seven runs.

Kendall Street got things started with a single to left. She advanced to second on an Ashley Swain single on the infield. White reached on an error that loaded the bases.

Ashtyn Mizelle delivered a two-run single to center that sent White to second. A double-steal caused a throwing error that allowed White to score and Mizelle to advance to third.

Moments later, Kendra Spruill singled to score Mizelle and make it 6-0.

After Capehart reached on a fielder’s choice and Stotesbury walked, the bases were loaded for Leanne Eubanks, who ripped a triple down the left field line to score three runs and gave the Warriors a comfortable 9-0 lead.

Northeast scored in the top of the fourth frame when LeAnn Barnes walked and scored on a triple by Lindsey Bridgers to trim the deficit to 9-1. Bridgers was left stranded by a strikeout and a pop fly.

Lawrence threatened in the bottom of the sixth when Swain tripled with one out, but the Warriors couldn’t get her home.

“I thought Jennifer pitched very well today and we played pretty well behind her,” Head Coach Bill Swain said. “We played seven full innings and we haven’t been doing that. We’ve had one bad inning the last few games.

“It looks like maybe we’re starting to come around at the right time,” he added.

Spruill led the Warriors offensively with a 2-for-3 day at the plate. Street and Swain had 2-for-4 days hitting with Swain adding a triple.

Stotesbury, Capehart, Eubanks, White and Mizelle had one hit each.

Lindsey Bridgers led the Eagles with a 1-for-3 day that included a triple.