By Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

BELPRE — There may have been some uncertainty going into Thursday’s Division 3 sectional title game between the Coal Grove Lady Hornets and Belpre Lady Golden Eagles.

But there was one thing that was certain: if a team doesn’t get a hit, your chances of winning increase dramatically.

Coal Grove junior pitcher Abbie Deeds erased all uncertainty as she fired a no-hitter and the Lady Hornets blanked Belpre 7-0 to win the sectional title.

Deeds struck out 18 of the 21 outs and walked 2 while hitting a batter as she got her second no-hitter of the season.

The game was scoreless until the fourth inning when the Lady Hornets (15-7) took a 2-0 lead.

Shay Collins reached on an error, stole second and scored on a hit by Rylee Black. Mia Haynes then singled, both moved up on a ground out and a run scored on a passed ball.

The lead went to 6-0 in the fifth inning.

Kassidy Travis walked, Deeds singled, both moved up on a ground out and Travis scored when Izzy Kitts grounded out.

Black walked and Haynes doubled home 2 more runs and Kitts scored on a hit by Kasey Vanderhoof.

The final run scored in the sixth when Deeds singled and went to second on an error, took third on a ground out and scored on a single by Kitts.

Black was 2-3 with an RBI, Haynes was 2-4 with a double and 2 RBI, Vanderhoof 2-3 with a double and RBI, Deeds 2-4, Kitts 1-4 with an RBI and Kendall Taylor 1-4.

Coal Grove will play Adena at 4 p.m. on Tuesday at Unioto High School in the district semifinals.

Belpre is now 10-8.

Coal Grove 000 241 0 = 7 10 0

Belpre      000 000 0 = 0 0 4

Abbie Deeds and Rylee Black. Makayla Carmichael and Lucy Rubie. W-Deeds (IP-7.0, H-0, R-0, K-18, BB-2, WP-1, HBP-1). L-Carmichael (IP-7.0, H-10, R-7, ER-5, K-5, BB-3, WP-1). Hitting-Coal Grove: Abbie Deeds 2-4, Izzy Kitts 1-4 RBI, Rylee Black 2-3 RBI, Mia Haynes 2-4 2B 2-RBI, Kasey Vanderhoof 2-3 RBI 2B, Kendall Taylor 1-4; Belpre: None.