Area sports digest 8/18/02

Benton falls in title game of World Series

GREENVILLE, N.C. -- Jenna Kubesch was too much for Benton, Mo., for the second time this week.

Kubesch, who threw a no-hitter at Benton earlier this week, threw a two-hitter on Saturday as LaGrange, Texas, won the Babe Ruth World Series for 16-and-under softball teams Saturday with a 7-0 victory.

After striking out 17 Benton batters in the no-hitter, Kubesch fanned seven more in the championship game, allowing only singles to Monica Senciboy and Stacy Schwartz.

LaGrange, which banged out 10 hits against two Benton pitchers, completed the tournament 3-0. Whitney Beggs suffered the loss, surrendering nine hits and four walks in five innings. She struck out three. Dana Essner pitched the final inning and allowed one hit and struck out one.

After scoring single runs in the bottom of the second and third, LaGrange broke the game open with a four-run fifth.

Shortstop Charise Kaspar led the way for LaGrange by going 3-for-3.

Benton had reached the championship game by going 3-0 in the loser's bracket after suffering a 4-0 loss to LaGrange.