SOFTBALL TOURNEY CONTINUES

KELSO -- The Heartland All-Stars remained undefeated in the 12-year-old division while the Bootheel Bandits stayed alive in the 16-18 division as the Babe Ruth National Girls Fast-Pitch Softball Tournament continued here Friday.

With Allison Johnson getting four hits and Dana Essner adding two, the Heartland All-Stars from the Benton area knocked off the Jax Beach All-Stars from Jacksonville, Fla., 9-7.

Ramona Blankenship was the winning pitcher for the Heartland team, which is now 2-0 in the tournament, with another game set for 3 p.m. today.

Meanwhile, the Bootheel Bandits got brilliant pitching from Molly McKinney but could only split two games Friday.

McKinney pitched a no-hitter, but an unearned run allowed the Pitt County All-Stars from North Carolina to prevail 1-0. McKinney did not issue a walk and struck out seven.

Heather Humphrey was the winning pitcher as she allowed four hits, two apiece by Pam Essner and Tiffany Glastetter.

In their other game, the Bandits routed Varina, Va., 9-0 as McKinney hurled a one-hitter, with no walks and eight strikeouts. Essner, Glastetter, Andrea Heisserer and Ashley Dirnberger all had two hits.

The Bandits, now 2-1 in the tournament, will play again at 12:30 p.m. today.

The third local team in the national event, the 13-15-year-old Heartland All-Stars, were eliminated Friday. No game details were available.