By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

ATHENS — When the other team doesn’t get a hit, you don’t lose too many of those games.

Alex Thackston pitched a no-hitter and the Fairland Dragons blanked the Adena Warriors 1-0 Friday in the Division III district semifinals.

“He was smoking last night. That was the hardest I’ve seen him throw,” said Fairland coach Bryan Ward. “Alex got beat by them last year 4-2 and he has a good memory. He really wanted to beat them.”

Thackston struck out 15 en route to his masterpiece. He walked just one batter and then picked him off first base.

Thackston and Adena’s Kirk Yates matched each other for six innings until Fairland got the game’s only run in the top of the seventh.

Eric Riley was hit by a pitch, stole second, took third on a ground out and Matt Campbell doubled to the base of the fence in right field to score the run.

“Campbell clutched up for us and had a nice hit,” said Ward.

Fairland (15-7) played Lucasville Valley on Saturday in the district finals.

Adena finished 19-2.

Fairland 000 000 1 = 1 3 1

Adena 000 000 0 = 0 0 0

Alex Thackston and Josh Ross. Kirk Yates and Cade Harper. W-Thackston (K-15, BB-1). L-Yates (K-8, BB-0, HBP-1). 2B-Fairland: Matt Campbell. Hitting-Fairland: Fisher 1-3, Barker 1-2, Matt Campbell 1-3 rbi.