In an Area 4 Tournament they have dominated for over a decade, the Hazard/Perry County All-Stars started strong once again, rolling to a 12-0 victory over Tri-City on Friday at Huff Park in Harlan.

Hazard’s Austin Hughes pitched a no-hitter with eight strikeouts and no walks to earn the win.

Aiden Craig reached on an error for Tri-City to start the game, but he was left stranded, as was Sedrick Washington in the second inning and Kaden Boggs in the third. Both Washington and Boggs were hit by pitches. Alex Creech reached base in the first inning on a fielder’s choice. Hughes struck out the final six batters he faced after a one-hour rain delay midway through the fourth inning.

Hughes led the Hazard offense with three singles. Tucker Napier singled twice. Evan Akemon had a double. Clint Davidson, Matthew Richie, Gabe Logan, Kyson Hillman, Devin Gayheart and Mason Sumner each had one single.

Liam Garland started on the mound for Tri-City and gave up seven runs on five hits with two strikeouts and six walks before reaching the pitch limit with two outs in the fourth inning. Creech recorded the final out in the fourth after giving up three hits, two runs and one walk. He allowed one more run on a hit in the fifth inning. Brayden Casolari gave up two runs on three hits in one inning.

Hazard threatened in the first inning before Garland worked out of trouble, but then broke through for four runs in the second. Hillman and Akemon drew walks before Gayheart brought in the first run with a bunt single. Napier ripped a single into right for two runs, then Clint Davidson brought in the final run of the inning with a grounder back to the pitcher.

Napier walked to open the fourth inning, then advanced to third on a wild pitch and steal. He scored on Davidson’s ground out. Hughes greeted Creech with a two-out, two-run single for a 7-0 lead. Akemon followed with a double before Sumner brought in two more runs with a single into right field.

Hazard added three runs in the fifth inning on hits by Napier, Davidson, Richie and Hughes to end the game via the 10-run mercy rule.

Harlan played Lesie County in the other semifinal game, but the game ended too late for the Saturday edition.

The championship game is set for Saturday at 6 p.m. The two losers from Friday will play in the second game on Saturday.

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Hazard 040 53 — 12. 12. 1

Tri-City 000 00 — 0. 0. 1

Hughes and Logan; Garland, Creech (4), Casolari (5) and Craig. WP — Hughes (1-0). LP — Garland (0-1).