HEARTLAND TEAMS WIN BBE RUTH REGIONALS

KELSO, Mo. -- The host teams made life extremely miserable over the weekend for the visiting squads competing in the Babe Ruth Softball Midwest Plains Regional Tournament held at the Kelso City Park.

The Heartland Heat did not allow a run in rolling to the title of the 16-under division while the Heartland Nationals allowed just one run in claiming the title of the 12-under division.

Both of those squads thus defended their regional crowns and qualified for the Babe Ruth Softball World Series, set to begin Aug. 14. The 16-under event will be held in Milleville, N.J., while the 12-under tourney will be held in Wilson, N.C. Both local teams finished fourth nationally last year.

The Heartland Heat had way too much pitching for the other teams in the regional tournament. Bridgett Riley fired a one-hit shutout against Santa Fe (Colo.) in the tourney opener, Marissa Essner tossed a perfect game against East Central (Colo.) in the winner's bracket finals and Riley threw a two-hit shutout to lead a 10-0 rout of East Central in Sunday's championship.

"This is a good feeling," said Heat head coach Doug Johnson. "The girls really played well. For many of the girls it's their first trip to the World Series, as well as mine. This is a very special feeling for us."

Alana Burford and Stacey Schwartz led the Heat offensively in Sunday's finals with three hits apiece while Monica Senciboy and Ashley Kern both had two hits.

Riley finished the tourney with a 2-0 record and 20 strikeouts.

"Our pitching is very strong and we're strong all around," Johnson said. "We're actually going into the World Series looking to win it. I know we can compete in it, but with this bunch, I feel we really have a shot."

Meanwhile, the Nationals didn't have quite as easy a time as the Heat, but they still dominated the 12-under tournament, downing East Central (Colo.) 3-1 in Sunday's title contest.

"I've very pleased with the way we played this weekend," said Nationals head coach Ron Schlosser. "We're secure in just about everything and that's a good feeling. We have a good group here and we're looking forward to the trip.

"We set a goal to bring home the top trophy. We plan on coming home as the World Series champions."

Whitney Beggs struck out 12 in the title game for her second win of the tournament. She allowed one hit and two walks in the finals.

Mindy Robert led the Nationals' offense, going 3-for-3 and driving in all three runs. Alana Weissmueller scored twice.

During the winner's bracket finals, won by the Nationals 13-0 in four innings, Kelly Essner struck out seven in three perfect innings and she also went 3-for-3 at the plate.

Robert went 2-for-2 with four RBIs while Miranda Schlosser and Michelle Collins added two hits each, with Collins having two RBIs.