Area digest 8/11/02

Heartland Nationals win World Series opener

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The Heartland Nationals, a local fast-pitch girls' softball team, defeated Riverdale (Calif.) 10-2 Saturday in the opening round of the 12-under Babe Ruth World Series.

Heartland had just three hits but took advantage of six errors and nine walks. Wendy Eftink, Kristain Burger and Chelsi Bradley had the Nationals' hits.

Sarah Benton pitched four innings of one-hit, scoreless relief for the victory. She struck out four and walked none. Burger allowed one hit and two unearned runs in the first two innings. She fanned three and walked one.

The Nationals will play again at 2 p.m. today.

Driskell among winners in junior championship

Blake Driskell shot a 37 to lead Lance Altenthal by seven strokes in the junior club championship Saturday for ages 15 to 16 at the Cape Girardeau Country Club.

In the 13-14 division, Matt Bottoms shot a 42 to lead RobertKaverman by nine strokes.

In ages 9-10, EricHayes led with a 33.

Zach Meyer (31) led Gunner Knudtson in the 8-year-old class, and CambronWomack (33)toped Matthew Hayes 944)in the 7-year-old class.

Dunklin County falls in Legion state title game

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Dunklin County came out of the loser's bracket but fell a victory short of winning the American Legion State Tournament.

The Bootheel squad handed Springfield Hillcrest its first tournament loss 9-5 Saturday but then lost to Springfield 9-5 in the 'if-necessary' championship game.

Springfield (43-9) advances to the eight-team Mid-South Regional beginning Thursday in Blue Springs, Mo.

Dunklin County (42-10) had won three straight elimination games in the state tournament after an opening-round loss.

-- From staff reports