Nationals ousted from World Series

The Heartland Nationals 12-and-under softball team, an all-star team made up of players from Kelso, New Hamburg and Oran, lost its final pool-play game Monday and failed to advance at the Babe Ruth 12U World Series in Varina, Va.

Heartland was defeated by Londonderry, N.H., 9-2 to end pool play with a 2-2 record.

The top three finishers in both of the five-team pools advance to the double-elimination portion of the tournament that begins today.

Heartland actually tied for third in its pool with Londonderry, but Londonderry advanced because of Monday's head-to-head victory.

The Nationals committed four errors and managed just three hits. Heartland pitchers also helped out with nine walks as Londonderry had only six hits.

Kaitlin Glastetter, Nicole Blattel and Ashton Elfrink had the only hits for the Nationals.

Londonderry jumped on top with four runs in the top of the first inning and never looked back. Another four-run outburst in the second inning by Londonderry broke the game open.

The Nationals got single runs in the third and fourth innings.

Katie Bond was the losing pitcher. She lasted just 1 1/3 innings, allowing only two hits but five runs, all earned. She was hurt by eight walks.

Abbey Anderson gave up four hits and four runs -- all unearned -- in 2 2/3 innings. Glastetter hurled two scoreless and hitless frames.