KELSO -- The Bootheel Bandits used the one-hit pitching of Molly McKinney to win their opener in the 1997 Babe Ruth National Tournament Thursday night.

The Bandits advanced to today's fastpitch softball quarterfinals with a 2-1, eight-inning victory over Varina, Va.

The Bandits, playing in the 16-18 age division, improved to 17-8-1 on the season. They will face the Pitt County, N.C., All Stars at 10:30 a.m.

The Bandits grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning on a two-out RBI single by Pam Essner, but saw Varina tie the game in the bottom of the seventh.

In the eighth, Ashley Beggs reached base on a one-out error and stole second. With two out, Tiffany Glastetter singled home Beggs with the winning run.

The hit was the Bandits' sixth of the game.

McKinney struck out eight and walked one in going the distance.

Due to rain, Thursday's games were moved from Benton City Park to Kelso. Play will resume today in Benton, weather permitting.

No further tournament information was available at press time.