Area sports digest 8/15/02

Local team loses in 12-under World Series

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The Heartland Nationals, a local girls fast-pitch softball team, lost to Liberty Recreation 1-0 Wednesday as the double-elimination portion of the 12-under Babe Ruth World Series got under way.

Heartland, which advanced from pool play earlier in the week, had one hit by Wendy Eftink. Liberty scored in the fifth inning.

Sarah Benton took the loss, allowing five hits and one run in five innings. Kristain Burger hurled one perfect inning.

Ramey wins Bass Busters club tournament

Steve Ramey of Cape Girardeau won Sunday in the Bass Busters of Southeast Missouri tournament at Lake Wappappello.

Ramey focused on the main lake channel structure north of Otter Creek, targeting shallow wood cover with plastic worms.

David Bortner of Cape Girardeau was second. He focused on main lake channel structure north of Sulfur Springs, targeting deeper wood cover using a bandit 200 crank bait.

Bortner also won the big bass competition after a 10:30 a.m. catch using bandit 200 crank bait in shad color.

Sunday's lake conditions were stable with winds light and out of the north. Water temperature was in the mid-80s.

-- From staff reports