WILSON – Lawrence Academy split a pair of outings in what many would call an early-season state tournament preview.

The Warriors defeated Shannon Forest 11-2 Friday before suffering a 6-3 setback at the hands of Kerr-Vance on Saturday.

“Overall, the weekend was good for us,” Warrior Head Baseball Coach Robert Kravitz said. “We got to get a look at some of the teams we could possibly play in the state tournament.

“I’m a little disappointed in our play Saturday, but hopefully we can rebound from that,” he added.

On Friday, the Warriors used a big sixth inning to break open a close game with Shannon Forest.

Lawrence jumped on Crusader pitching for seven runs in the sixth inning after holding a slim 4-2 advantage going into the inning.

Evan Holton started the inning with a base hit for Lawrence and then stole second before Gray Harrell delivered an RBI-double. Judd Whitehead then singled before Lawrence drew four consecutive walks.

Joe Harrell’s RBI-single then came before two more walks that accounted for the seven runs.

Jonathan Brantley picked up the win for Lawrence by going three and two-thirds of an inning. He surrendered a single unearned run while walking four and striking out four. T.J. Johnston, Joe Harrell and Blake Hill also saw time on the mound for the Warriors.

Holton led the way for the Warriors with a 4-for-4 day at the plate. Daniel Oliver was 2-for-3 and Johnston was 2-for-4 on the day.

On Saturday the normally staunch Warrior defense committed seven errors in a 6-3 loss to Kerr-Vance even while outhitting their opponents by a 9-7 count.

Trailing 6-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth, Lawrence scored their first run on singles by Chad Oliver and Jake Mitchell and a sacrifice fly by Chad Whitehead.

The Warriors added one run each in the sixth and seventh.

In the sixth, Mitchell singled and went to third on a Johnston base hit. He scored on an RBI-groundout.

In the seventh, Holton doubled, stole third and scored on a Judd Whitehead sacrifice fly.

Patrick Warren picked up the win for Kerr-Vance by pitching five innings and giving up two runs and seven hits.

Daniel Oliver suffered the loss about going three and one-third.

Mitchell led the Warrior offense with a 2-for-3 day at the plate while Judd Whitehead, Chad Whitehead and Johnston were all 1-for-2.

The Warriors (3-1) traveled to Northeast Academy Monday to open Tarheel Independent Conference play.

(Ncisaa.com’s Mike Williams contributed to this story.)