COAL GROVE — Wayne Sparks threw like, well, Wayne Sparks.

The Coal Grove senior pitcher was on top of his game as he fired a no-hitter and the Hornets beat the Rock Hill Redmen 1-0 Monday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

Sparks struck out 12 and walked just two in fashioning his masterpiece.

“Wayne threw like he can throw,” said Hornets’ coach Dean Mader. “He came out with velocity and with command of his pitches.”

Josh Malone threw well in defeat as he gave up just three hits, struck out nine and walked four.

“That’s the second time we’ve been beaten 1-0,” said Redmen coach Barry Litteral. “I can’t say enough about Josh Malone. He pitched a heck of a game.”

Coal Grove scored the only run of the game in the first inning.

Jake Murphy walked, stole second, went to third base when Sparks reached on an error and came home on a bloop single to right field by Frank Delawder.

Delawder only allowed two runners and got some stellar defensive plays behind him.

Second baseman Mark Davidson made an over-the-shoulder catch and right-fielder xxx Sullivan made a running catch of a line drive off the bat of Cody Massie to end the game.

“The few balls they hit we made some great plays,” said Mader.

On Tuesday, the Hornets (5-7, 4-2) play at Symmes Valley and Rock Hill (8-5, 4-2) hosts Green.

Rock Hill 000 000 0 = 0 0 1

Coal Grove 100 000 x = 1 3 0

Josh Malone and Cody Massie. Wayne Sparks and Jake Murphy. W-Sparks (12-K, 2-BB). L-Malone (9-K, 4-BB). Hitting-Coal Grove: Frank Delawder 1-3, Wayne Sparks 1-3, Evan Ferguson 1-3.