Heartland can't get going against Mineral Area

SIKESTON -- After coming out of the first inning with a 1-1 tie against the Mineral Area Fusion Friday afternoon in the Midwest Plains Babe Ruth Regional Tournament, the Heartland Nationals 10-and-under team saw the game quickly slip away as they fell to the Fusion 14-1 to end pool play.

"Not the best game we've played offensively or defensively," Nationals coach Laura Brown said. "I think (our girls) hung their heads a little too soon.

"Anything can happen and when you hang your head you're just helping the other team beat you."

Mineral would score the go ahead run in the second when Madi Dugal scored after reaching on a walk.

Breaking away, the Fusion would rally for six runs in both the third and fourth innings to make up the final.

Though the Nationals would get two runners on in the fourth and final inning starting with a walk to Macey Smith, Heartland would be unable to cut in to the deficit with two fly outs and a runner caught at third ending any hope of a comeback.

The loss left Heartland with a 1-2 record after pool play.