HEARTLAND NATIONALS TO PLAY FOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

HOUMA, La. -- The Heartland Nationals 13-15-year-old team advanced to the national title game Saturday with a 5-0 victory over Wisconsin Rapids.

The Heartland Nationals improved to 3-0 in the tournament and 11-0 overall. They will face host Terre Bonne, La., at 1 p.m. today in the championship game.

Marrisa Essner limited Wisconsin to just three hits as she walked three and struck out five. Her teammates played error-free defense behind her.

Heartland struck for two runs in both the first and second inning and scored a single run in the third.

The Heartland Nationals banged out nine hits, led by a pair of doubles by Mika Williamson. Bridgett Riley and Morgan Kiefer each added a pair of hits while Essner helped her own cause with an RBI triple in the first. Tracie Kluesner also added a double.

Two other local squads were eliminated in Saturday's action. The Heartland Nationals 12-and-under team saw their title hopes end in a 14-7 loss to Manassas, Va.

The 16-18 Bootheel Bandits lost 8-5 to a team from California.