Friday the 13th proved to be a lucky day for Skylar DeHart and the Montgomery County Dixie Angels All-Star softball team, as they moved one game closer in advancing to their first-ever World Series by edging Halifax County American, 3-2, in the opening game of the Dixie State Tournament Friday night in Crewe.

Eight teams arrived in Crewe on Friday, six teams battling for the traditional Dixie Angels title and a chance to go to Georgetown, SC for the Angels World Series and Montgomery County and Halifax County American battling it out in the new X-play Angels division for a chance to go to Troy, AL for the inaugural Angels X-play World Series. Montgomery and Halifax are in a best of three series to see who represents Virginia.

In game one, Montgomery County’s DeHart threw a complete game no-hitter, although it was not necessarily the prettiest no-hitter of all time. In the top of the first, Halifax’s leadoff batter was hit by a pitch, stole second and third and came around to score on a sacrifice fly to take a 1-0 lead. Montgomery would respond in the bottom of the first, as Rachel Harding led off with a hit, stole second and third. DeHart would draw a walk and on the play Harding would steal home to tie the game. DeHart would steal second and third and score on a fielder’s choice RBI off the bat of Emily Scaggs to give Montgomery County a 2-1 advantage.

In the second inning, Halifax had a runner reach first on an error, but she was left stranded. Montgomery County added a run in the bottom of the second, as McKenzie Lawrence singled to left, stole second and third and came home on an RBI single by Rebecca Harding to make the score 3-1.

Halifax would draw a walk, but stranded the runner in the top of the third. Montgomery would go three up and three down in its half of the inning.

Halifax went down 1-2-3 in the top of the fourth. Montgomery would get two walks in the bottom of the inning, but ended up leaving ducks on the pond.

In the top of the fifth, Halifax would make things interesting. A hard hit shot led off the inning, but was snagged in centerfield by Abigail Wilson for the first out. The second batter drew a walk and the third batter drilled a shot to left snagged by Morgen Wade for the second out. Two more walks loaded the bases for Halifax, then the dreaded fourth walk to score a run and make the game 3-2. DeHart shook it off and struck out the next batter to end the game. She would finish with six walks and seven strikeouts for the game.

Halifax ended with two runs off no hits, no errors and left five on base.

Montgomery would score three runs off three hits, with one error and left four on base.

Montgomery County and Halifax County American square off again today in game number two. Game three, if necessary, is scheduled for Sunday.

Photo: Montgomery County's Skylar DeHart, shown pitching a no-hitter in the District 3 tournament, tossed a no-hitter Friday night in the opening game of the Dixie Angels State Tournament in Crewe. Montgomery County won 3-2.