MERRY HILL – Moving on.

Lawrence Academy’s varsity girl’s continued their domination in the opening round of the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association state playoffs.

The Lady Warriors rolled to an 18-2 win Tuesday afternoon and advanced to the Final Four for the eighth consecutive season here Tuesday afternoon.

Lawrence Head Coach Bill Swain said, “This was a good win. We got good hitting and good pitching.

“I’m proud of all the girls,” he added. “The younger girls stepped up today. We are ready to play on Friday.”

Lawrence wasted no time getting on the board, scoring six runs in the bottom of the first.

Sarah Capehart started the inning with a bunt single. Jennifer White’s walk and an infield single by Kendall Street then loaded the bases.

Capehart scored when senior Ashley Swain drew a walk and White scored on an error that also advanced Street and Swain.

Debbie Stotesbury delivered an RBI-single to bring home Street and give the Warriors a 3-0 lead.

After Ashtyn Mizelle walked and reloaded the bases, Swain scored on an error. Stotesbury and Mizelle then scored when Kendra Spruill laced a two-run single to left, giving the Warriors a 6-0 edge.

Northwood Temple scored a single run in the top of the second to get within 6-1, but the Warriors went back on the offensive in the bottom of the same inning.

White and Street drew back-to-back walks before Swain delivered an RBI-single. Stotesbury singled to load the bases and then Mizelle walked to force in a run and give Lawrence an 8-1 lead.

Northwood Temple plated another run in the top of the third inning and Lawrence answered when White had an inside the park homerun to make it 9-2.

The Lady Warriors put the game away in the bottom of the fourth, scoring nine runs.

Mizelle reached on a three-base error and scored on a Courtney Mizell RBI-single to get the inning started.

Kendra Spruill drew a walk and stole second to put runners at second and third.

Mizell scored when Capehart reached on a two-base error. Spruill then scored on a White RBI-single and Capehart came home on a Leanne Eubanks RBI-single.

Both White and Eubanks made it home when Street had a two-run double.

Swain then singled. Courtesy runner Jeanie Lundsford scored on a Stotesbury RBI-single and courtesy runner Casey Belch came home, along with Stotesbury, on a Mizelle sacrifice fly, ending the game at 18-2 with one out in the bottom of the fourth.

Street was over-powering on the mound, allowing just four hits while striking out five.

Lawrence totaled 13 hits, led by Stotesbury with three of those. White, Street and Swain had two hits each.

Rounding out the offense were Capehart, Eubanks, Spruill and Mizell with one hit each.

The win improved the Warriors to 21-1 on the season and sent them to Friday’s NCISAA Final Four matchup with third-seeded Wayne Christian School. That contest will be at 2 p.m. at Wayne Christian.