Area sports digest

Benton reaches final in Babe Ruth World Series

GREENVILLE, N.C. -- Benton, Mo., reached today's championship game of the Babe Ruth 16 and under Softball World Series with a 1-0 victory over Pitt County, N.C., in the loser's bracket final on Friday.

The victory was the third straight for Benton and gives it a rematch against LaGrange, Texas, at 1 p.m. Benton must defeat LaGrange, the only undefeated team in the field, twice today in order to win the title. LaGrange handed Benton its only loss of the tournament in no-hit fashion earlier this week, a 4-0 setback in the winner's bracket semifinals.

Benton emerged from the loser's bracket Friday behind the shutout pitching of Dana Essner, who yielded seven hits, struck out four and did not walk a batter.

Benton mustered just five hits off two Pitt Co. pitchers, but pushed across the game's only run in the top of the fifth inning with the help of two errors. Ashley Rockett, who led off the inning by being hit by a pitch, scored on a two-out error.

Essner, who had a double, had two of Benton's hits.

Central mom's clinic is at 9 a.m. today

Central coaches will host the school's annual football clinic for players' moms at 9 a.m. today at the Central Junior High.

Coaches will demonstrate techniques and explain terminology. Admission is free.

-- From staff reports