MERRY HILL – Lawrence Academy has made back-to-back trips to the state finals under head coach Robert Kravitz.

The quest for a third began in fine fashion Thursday afternoon when the Warriors blanked visiting Jamesville High School 10-0.

“It felt good to be back out there,” Kravitz said. “I know the boys were anxious to get back on the field.”

Daniel Oliver held the Jamesville bats at bay through three innings for Lawrence. He struck out six and walked just one while giving up no hits before giving way to Joe Harrell and Chad Whitehead.

Oliver, who had an arm injury, was on a limited pitch count and was removed after reaching that mark, according to Kravitz.

Lawrence scored a single run in the second inning before exploding for six in the third frame.

In the third, Jake Mitchell led off the inning with a triple and came around to score on an RBI groundout by T.J. Johnston.

Gray Harrell singled to keep the inning alive before Dylan Ralph was hit by a pitch. Senior Judd Whitehead had an RBI-single that plated Harrell and Oliver singled, scoring Ralph to make it 3-0 for the Warriors.

Mitchell came back to the plate and walked before Johnston sent two runners home on an RBI-single. Johnston scored on a Chad Oliver double that make it 7-0.

The Warriors added three more in the fourth to close out the scoring.

“I was surprised at how well we played with it being our first game,” Kravitz said. “We hit the ball extremely well and played solid defense.”

The coach was also happy with Daniel Oliver’s time on the mound.

“Daniel looked impressive in his first start of the season,” the coach said. “He had total control of the game from the mound.”

Joe Harrell pitched one inning and allowed a single hit before Chad Whitehead closed out the game by tossing the fifth inning. He gave up no hits and struck out two.

Offensively, Chad Oliver and Daniel Oliver led the Warriors with each recording a 2-for-3 day at the plate. Johnston was 1-for-3 with three RBIs while Judd Whitehead and Gray Harrell were each 1-for-2. Mitchell was 1-for-1 with two walks and a triple.

The Warriors (1-0) will travel to Parrott Academy on Tuesday to continue their non-conference schedule.