LOCAL GIRLS SOFTBALL SQUAD QUALIFIES FOR NATIONAL MEET

Heartland Pride, a local 16-under girls fast-pitch softball team, will compete in a national tournament for the second year in a row when it participates in the ASA National Championship Aug. 8-13 in Montgomery, Ala.

The squad, which has a 31-10 record, qualified for the ASA event by virtue of winning its age division at the Illinois State Tournament held July 21-23 in Galesburg, Ill.

"This group has been together four years and we've really got a good bunch of girls," said Heartland Pride manager Greg Jameson, whose team finished ninth in nationals last year. "I think we'll do well out there again. I think we'll place in the top 10 if not win it."

Three players on the team attend Cape Girardeau Central High School while the remaining nine squad members are from Illinois.

Cape Central products are Tara Ford, Tara Herzberger and Heather Ford.

Among the Illinois players, Kellie Willoughby, Ashley Ledbetter, Silver Koen, Jessica Woodson, Ashley Jones and Sara Essex are from Egyptian High School; Marion Jameson and Stefanie Randol are from Shawnee High School; and Casey Evans attends Anna-Jonesboro.