The Heartland Nationals, a local 12-and-under girls fastpitch softball team, found the going rough Friday during the opening round of the Babe Ruth Softball World Series in Cherry Hill, N.J.
Heartland had just one hit and suffered a 5-1 loss to Sparta, N.J., in the first of four pool play games.
Macy Heisserer had the Nationals' only hit.
Danielle Gibbons was the losing pitcher.
The Nationals play again today.
Connect with the Southeast Missourian Newsroom:
For corrections to this story or other insights for the editor, click here. To submit a letter to the editor, click here. To learn about the Southeast Missourian’s AI Policy, click here.