BRIEFLY: LOCAL SOFTBALL TEAM GETS STARTED AT WORLD SERIES

HOUMA, La. -- The Benton-based girls fast-pitch softball teams competing in the 1998 Babe Ruth National Tournament went 1-1, with one game still pending, during Thursday's opening day of action here.

The 13-15-year-old Heartland Nationals beat a team from Louisiana 7-5 while the 12-under Heartland Nationals lost to a squad from Connecticut 6-1.

A third local squad, the 16-18 Bootheel Bandits, were still playing a game that had been pushed back by rain as the Southeast Missourian went to press.

Marissa Essner was the winning pitcher for the 13-15 team. She worked six innings. Bridgett Riley hurled the final frame.

Micah Williamson had two of Heartland's six hits. Jodi Pfefferkorn and Riley each drove in two runs.

The 13-15-year-olds will play again at 10 a.m. today.

The 12-under team, which had only three hits in its loss, will play an elimination contest at 4 p.m. today.