Eli Laurent threw seven no-hit innings and the Bellmont Braves advanced to the sectional championship game at Oak Hill by beating Maconaquah 3-0 Saturday.Â
Laurent allowed just three baserunners, all on walks, and struck out ten for the first seven-inning no-hitter of the senior’s career in what could have been his final high school game.
Andrew James led off the first inning with a hit but was gunned down by the Maconaquah catcher, setting the tone for the rest of the game as the Braves were hesitant to test his arm again.
Laurent walked after James was out at second but was stranded at second.
Gavin Krull was hit by a pitch to lead off the third, then took second on a sacrifice bunt by Aiden Zimmerman and third on a groundout by James.
That set up Laurent to drive in the eventual winning run in the game with a single.
The Braves scored twice more – once in the fourth after a leadoff walk to Dylan Velez and again in the fifth when James doubled and scored.
Bellmont will play Norwell in Monday’s championship game.
