HEARTLAND SQUAD WINS REGIONAL TITLE

LAKIN, Kan. -- The Heartland Nationals are once 12-under Babe Ruth Softball Midwest Regional champions.

Based in Benton, Mo., the Nationals captured their third straight regional title here Sunday as they routed Eastern Colorado 12-1 in a championship game that was stopped after four innings by the mercy rule. Heartland romped in all three of its tourney games.

The Nationals will next participate in the Babe Ruth Softball World Series for 12-under teams Aug. 4-11 in Pine Bluff, Ark.

"These girls have really stepped up and I'm just so proud of them," said Heartland coach Ronnie Schlosser.

Louise Blankenship and Miranda Schlosser combined on a no-hitter Sunday. Blankenship, the starter and winner, struck out six in three innings. Schlosser hurled the final frame.

Hannah Glueck led the Nationals offensively by going 3-for-3, with three runs batted in and two runs scored. Miranda Schlosser and Kristain Burger both had two hits and four RBIs.