Lawrence rallies by HA

Published 12:00 am Saturday, March 25, 2006

MERRY HILL – It was a near miss.

Despite another game where they had an inning that nearly cost them, Lawrence Academy rallied back to beat Hobgood Academy 14-4 in a Tarheel Independent Conference softball game here Thursday.

&uot;It was the same scenario we had last week. We had one bad inning again, throwing the ball all over the place,&uot; second-year coach Truitt Johnston said, only half jokingly.

The Lady Warriors surrendered four runs in the first frame after three walks, a hit batter and a base hit. Those things in combination gave the Lady Raiders a 4-0 lead.

&uot;Fortunately, we settled in after that,&uot; Johnston said. &uot;We hit the ball well and fielded the ball after that inning.&uot;

The Lady Warriors scored one of their own in the home half of the first then added three to deadlock the score in the second inning.

Lawrence opened the game up in the third with five runs, including scoring three on a bases-loaded triple by senior Jessica Johnston.

The Lady Warriors added one in the fourth and fifth and then four in the sixth to end the game in six innings.

Kendall Street, who took over on the mound in the first inning, went five frames to pick up the win. She struck out eight while surrendering just three hits and walking none.

Johnston, LeeAnn Eubanks and Ashtyn Mizelle led the Lady Warriors at the plate. Each one was 3-for-4. Johnston and Eubanks had triples and Mizelle a double.

Street was 3-for-5 on the afternoon while youngster Sarah Capehart was 2-for-3.

Checking in at 2-for-4 on the day were seniors Ruth Stotesbury and Lauren Rea. Jodi White was 1-for-3.

The Lady Warriors will travel to Halifax Academy on Monday before traveling to Pungo Christian Academy on Tuesday.