Agricultural producers and landowners with certain expiring Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts can receive additional rental incentives and extend that land’s role in conservation for another 30 years. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has opened the signup period for its Clean Lakes, Estuaries, and Rivers enrollment (CLEAR30) now through July 31, 2023.
CLEAR30 is a part of the CLEAR initiative, which prioritizes water quality practices as a part of Continuous CRP enrollment and is one of several CRP enrollment opportunities. CLEAR30 allows producers and landowners enrolling certain water quality practices to enroll in 30-year contracts, extending the lifespan and strengthening the benefits of important water quality practices on their land. Like other CRP enrollments, CLEAR30 is a voluntary, incentive-based conservation opportunity offered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA).
“The foundational value of CLEAR30 enrollment is right there in its name: Clean Lakes, Estuaries, And Rivers — there is nothing more essential to all things on the planet, including agriculture, than clean water,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “CRP is one of the world’s largest voluntary conservation programs, and our CLEAR initiative and CLEAR30 enrollment gives our producers and landowners a great option to continue their conservation practices well into the future.”
Cropland and certain pastureland that is currently enrolled in Continuous CRP or the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) and is also dedicated to an eligible water quality practice, such as the establishment of riparian buffers, contour strips, or grass waterways, may be eligible for CLEAR30 if their contracts are expiring by Sept. 30, 2023.
CLEAR30 contracts will be effective beginning Oct. 1, 2023. These long-term contracts ensure that conservation practices remain in place for 30 years, which improves water quality by reducing sediment and nutrient runoff and helping prevent algal blooms. Conservation in riparian areas also provides important carbon sequestration benefits. Traditional CRP contracts run from 10 to 15 years.  
 
About CLEAR30                                                                                                                     
CLEAR30 enrollment was established in the 2018 Farm Bill to better address water quality concerns. Originally, CLEAR30 was only available in the Great Lakes and Chesapeake Bay watersheds; in 2021 FSA made CLEAR30 available to agricultural producers and landowners nationwide, and participation grew nearly seven-fold from 2020 to 2021.
Annual rental payments for landowners who enroll in CLEAR30 will be equal to the current Continuous CRP annual payment rate plus a 20-percent water quality incentive payment and an annual rental rate adjustment of 27.5 percent.   
 
How to sign up 
To sign up for CLEAR30, landowners and producers should contact their local USDA Service Center by July 31, 2023. Contact information can be found at farmers.gov/service-locator. Additionally, fact sheets and other resources are available at fsa.usda.gov/crp.       
 
About Continuous CRP
CLEAR30 is one of several enrollment opportunities with Continuous CRP, giving producers and landowners the opportunity to enroll in CRP throughout the year without specific signup periods. Through the overall CLEAR initiative in Continuous CRP, USDA prioritizes water quality practices to reduce sediment and nutrient loadings and to foster clean lakes, estuaries, and rivers.
Offers are automatically accepted provided the producer and land meet the eligibility requirements and the enrollment levels do not exceed the statutory cap.
Continuous CRP offers conservation benefits similar to others, like General and Grassland CRP, but also offers unique flexibility and several program choices, which in addition to CLEAR30, include:
•State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE): The initiative restores vital habitat in order to meet high-priority state wildlife conservation goals.
•Highly Erodible Lands Initiative (HELI): Producers and landowners can enroll in CRP to establish long-term cover on highly erodible cropland.
•Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP): Working with conservation partners, CREP leverages federal and non-federal funds to target specific state, regional, or nationally significant conservation concerns.
•Farmable Wetlands Program: Producers and landowners can enroll land in CRP to restore previously farmed wetlands and wetland buffers, improving both vegetation and water flow.
•Clean Lakes, Estuaries and Rivers (CLEAR): Prioritizes water quality practices to reduce sediment, nutrient loadings, and help prevent algal blooms to foster Clean Lakes, Estuaries, and Rivers
 
More information
CLEAR30 is an enrollment option available through CRP, one of the largest voluntary private-lands conservation programs in the United States. CRP was originally intended to primarily control soil erosion and stabilize commodity prices by taking environmentally sensitive lands out of production. The program has evolved over the years, providing numerous conservation and economic benefits. In addition to CLEAR30, signups are also open for Continuous CRP and Grassland CRP. The Grassland CRP signup opened April 17 and runs through May 26.

When we believe in Jesus Christ as the only way for our salvation, the Bible promises us that we are …
… a child of God. (John 1:12)
… a friend of Jesus Christ. (John 15:15)
… justified in Christ. (Romans 5:1)
… bought with a price and we belong to God. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
… redeemed and forgiven of all our sin. (Colossians 1:13-14)
… complete in Christ. (Colossians 2:9-10
… given direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 4:14-16)
… free from condemnation. (Romans 8:1-2)
… citizens of heaven. (Philippians 3:20)
… free from a spirit of fear and given power, love and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)
… chosen and appointed to bear fruit. (John 15:16)
… ministers of reconciliation for God. (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)
… the very workmanship of God. (Ephesians 2:10)
… able to approach God with freedom and confidence. (Ephesians 3:12)
… able to do all things through Christ, who strengthens us. (Philippians 4:13)
… are a chosen people, a royal priesthood and God’s special possession. (1 Peter 2:9)
… loved by God. (Romans 5:8)
… a brand-new creation. The old is gone.  We are made new in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
… precious and honored in God’s sight. (Isaiah 43:4)
… promised eternality with God. (John 14:1-6)
… uniquely gifted for the glory of God. (1 Peter 4:10)
… blessed. (Ephesians 1:3)
There are days when life is hard, but when we stop and remember the hope we have because of Jesus we can continue knowing we are loved. Our hope begins when we understand Jesus came to reconcile us to God. Because of our sin Jesus died, was buried, and rose again and, in doing so, extends the gift of salvation to all believe in him.
When life is bad or good, remember who you are in Jesus Christ.

St. Catherine Catholic Church
203 E. Brown St., Luverne
St. Catherine Ph. 283-8502; www.stscl.org
Monsignor Gerald Kosse, Pastor
Sunday: 8:30 a.m. Mass. Public Mass will be celebrated at FULL capacity in the church. Masses: 9 a.m. Wednesdays, 10 a.m. Friday at the nursing homes – check the bulletin. All Sunday masses will be live streamed on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pg/stccluverne/videos/. Visit www.stscl.org for more information.
 
Luverne Christian Reformed Church
605 N. Estey St., Luverne
Office Ph. 283-8482; Prayer Line Ph. 449-5982
www.luvernecrc.com — office@luvernecrc.com
Joe Steenholdt, Pastor
Sunday: 9:30 a.m. Worship service. 6:30 p.m. Evening worship service. We are streaming Sunday services live on YouTube at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Send him a friend request if you’re not connected. You may also visit our website for delayed broadcasts. Also our services are on local cable TV at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and at 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays. In all circumstances, may we joyfully declare: “Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 124:8.
 
First Baptist Church
103 N. Jackson St., P.O. Box 975, Luverne
Ph. 283-4091; email: fbcluv@iw.net — www.fbcluverne.org
Walt Moser, Pastor
Sundays: 10:30 a.m. In-person worship service. Service is also on Facebook Live at 10:30 a.m.
 
Grace Lutheran Church
500 N. Kniss Ave., Luverne
Ph. 507-283-4431; www.graceluverne.org — graceluverne@iw.net
Dave Christenson, Interim Pastor
Thursday, May 18: 11 a.m. Amazing Grays. Sunday, May 21: 8 a.m. Senior Brunch. 9 a.m. Worship Service with Holy Communion and baptism. 2 p.m. Baptisms. Monday, May 22: Grace Notes deadline. Tuesday, May 23: 7 a.m. Dorcas Circle at The Bean. 9 a.m. Staff meeting. Wednesday, May 24: 7 a.m. Men’s Bible Study. Online, TV and Radio Worship options are available. Online worship: Sundays 9 a.m. at www.graceluverne.org, click Worship tab; or Facebook page at Grace Lutheran ELCA, Luverne. TV: Vast Channel 3 Mondays at 4:30 p.m. and Fridays at 10 a.m. Radio: KQAD-AM Radio Sundays at 8:15 a.m.
 
Bethany Lutheran Church
720 N. Kniss Ave., Luverne
Ph. 507-283-4571 or 605-215-9834
Andrew Palmquist, Pastor
Sundays: 9 a.m. Sunday School and Bible class. 10:15 a.m. Worship service; worship online as well (at els.org). Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. Zoom Bible study. See our Facebook page, Bethany Lutheran Church (Luverne) for other classes and events.
 
American Reformed Church
304 N. Fairview Dr., Luverne
Ph. 507-283-8600; email: office@arcluverne.org
Thursday, May 18: 9 a.m. Cookie Crew. Friday, May 19: 6:30 a.m. Community Men’s Bible Study. Sunday, May 21: 9:30 a.m. Worship Service. 10:50 a.m. Sunday School—last day of Sunday School. Tuesday, May 23: 12 p.m. Staff meeting. CommServices are also broadcast on Vast Channel 3 on Mondays at 6 p.m. and Wednesdays at 4 p.m. DVD’s available upon request. To stay up to date on announcements, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @arcluverne.
 
Rock River Community Church
1075 110th Ave., Luverne
Ph. 507-283-9070; email: info@rockrivercommunity.church
Bob Junak, Pastor
Come as you are—Sundays @ 10 a.m.: Main Service. Kids church age 3-6th grade—Nursery. Wednesdays @ 6:30 p.m. Midweek Service—Kids age 3-6th grade.
 
United Methodist Church
109 N. Freeman Ave., Luverne
Ph. 283-4529
Wednesday, May 16: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Prayer chapel. 8 p.m. AA meeting. Saturday, May 20: 8 p.m. AA meeting. Sunday, May 21: 9:30 a.m. FUEL/Adult Sunday School. 9:45 a.m. Coffee. 10:30 a.m. Worship Service. 4:30 p.m. Genesis/Revelation Bible Study. Monday, May 22: 6:30 p.m. Genesis to Revelation Bible Study. Messenger deadline. Tuesday, May 23: 6:30 p.m. Genesis to Revelation Bible Study. Messenger deadline. Wednesday, May 17: 9 am.-7 p.m. Prayer chapel. 8 p.m. AA meeting. Live streamed on Facebook and radio.
 
First Presbyterian Church
302 Central Lane, Luverne
Ph. 283-4787; email: fpcemilie@gmail.com
Wednesday, May 17: 9:00 a.m. Morning circle, 1:30 p.m. Afternoon circle and staff meeting, 6:15 p.m. Chancel choir rehearsal, 7:00 p.m. Deacons meeting. Sunday, May 21: 9:00 a.m. Adult Sunday School, 10:15 a.m. In-person Worship Service (View on Facebook under First Presbyterian Church of Luverne, City of Luverne's LUV TV or on the local Luverne cable station at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and 10 a.m. on Thursdays), Youth Sunday School during worship - SUNDAY FUNDAY (Last day of Sunday School until Fall), 11:15 a.m. Music staff meeting. Monday, May 22: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Quilting group. Wednesday, May 24: 1:30 p.m. Staff meeting.
 
St. John Lutheran Church
803 N. Cedar St., Luverne
Ph. 283-2316; email: stjohn@iw.net
www.stjohnlutheranluverne.org
Saturdays: 5:30 p.m. Worship Service. Sundays: 9 a.m. Worship Service. 10 a.m. Fellowship Time. 10:15 a.m. Sunday School. 10:15 a.m. Adult Bible Study. Wednesdays: 9 a.m. Bible Study. 6:30 p.m. Catechesis Class. 6:30 p.m. Kids for Christ. 7:30 p.m. Youth Group. Services will be available on the Vast Channel 3 Sunday and online at the city website, cityofluverne.org. Holy Communion is offered on 2nd and 4th weekends and Liturgical Feasts.
 
Living Rock Church
500 E. Main St., Luverne
Ph. 449-0057; www.livingrockswmn.org
Josh Hayden, Pastor
 
New Life Celebration Church
101 W. Maple, Luverne
Ph. (605) 368-1924; email: newlifecelebration@gmail.com
 
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
305 E. 2nd St., P.O. Box 36, Hardwick
Ph. (507) 669-2855; zionoffice@alliancecom.net
Jesse Baker, Pastor
Sundays: 9 a.m. Worship service. 10:15 a.m. Sunday School. 10:30 a.m. Bible study. Worship service on Luverne cable at 3:30 p.m. every Thursday and Friday.
 
Ben Clare United Methodist Church
26762 Ben Clare Ave., Valley Springs, S.D.
igtwlb@WOW.net
Bill Bates, Pastor
 
First Lutheran Church
300 Maple St., Valley Springs, S.D.
Ph. (605) 757-6662 – firstpalisade@alliancecom.net
Mark Eliason, Pastor
Thursday, May 18: 7 p.m. Parish council meeting at First Lutheran. Sunday, May 21: 9:30 a.m. Sunday School. 10:30 a.m. Worship service. All are welcome. We Are ONLINE! Facebook: @FirstLutheranValley Springs; YouTube: FirstPalisadeLutheranParish.
 
Palisade Lutheran Church
211 121st St., Garretson, S.D.
Ph. (507) 597-6257 — palisadechurch@alliancecom.net
www.palisadelutheran.org
Thursday, May 18: 7 p.m. Parish council meeting at First Lutheran. Sunday, May 21: 9 a.m. Worship Service. No Sunday school. We Are ONLINE! Facebook: @PalisadeLC; YouTube: FirstPalisadeLutheranParish.
 
First Presbyterian Church
201 S. 3rd St., P.O Box 73, Beaver Creek
Ph. 507-935-5025
email: lori.firstpres@gmail.com
Sundays: 9:30 a.m. Worship Service. Second Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m. Session meeting.
 
Magnolia United Methodist Church
501 E. Luverne St., Magnolia
Ph. 605-215-3429
email: magnoliamnumc@gmail.com
Nancy Manning, Pastor
Sundays: 9 a.m. Worship Service in-person with livestream available on the church’s Facebook site.
 
Steen Reformed Church
112 W. Church Ave., Steen
Ph. 855-2336
Jeremy Wiersema, Pastor
Sundays: 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Worship service in-person with livestream available on Facebook and YouTube. Radio worship on KQAD Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
 
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
112 N. Main St., Hills
Ph. 962-3270 / bethlehemofhills@gmail.com
Nita Parker, Pastor
Sundays: 9 a.m. Worship at Tuff Chapel. 9 a.m. Sunday school. 10 a.m. Worship Service. Worship will be streamed live to Facebook at Bethlehem of Hills. You can find more info on our website blchills.org.
 
Hills United Reformed Church
410 S. Central Ave., Hills
Office Ph. 962-3254
hillsurc@alliancecom.net
Praveen Muthasamy, Pastor
Sundays, 9:30 a.m. Worship service. 5 p.m. Evening worship service.

The Hills-Beaver Creek High School trap shooting team is in sixth place in Conference 3A after posting another week of scores. 
Luke Fuerstenberg is in 11th place in ranking of males in the Top 25 with a 46 average.
Jayden Kueter is 24th among females in the Top 25 with a 28.67 average.
This week Alex Harris shot a 25 in his first round and finished with a 47.
Thirteen other athletes scored in the 40s, and the totals are as follows:
 
Round1   Round 2    Total
Cameron Allen 21 21 42
Garrett Blank 13 16 29
Brekken Boen 16 19 35
Seyler Boen 08 09 17
Gunner Bork 22 21 43
Olivia Bork 21 18 39
Sawyer Bosch 23 23 46
Camdyn Broesder 21 18 39
Karis DeWire 09 12 21
Luke Fuerstenberg 23 24 47
Alexis Gardner Swenson 12 10 22
Cooper Gehrke 21 21 42
Alex Harris 25 22 47
Brooklynne Hubbard 10 16 26
Lukas Hubbard 16 18 34
Keaton Huisman 07 14 21
Clayton Kellenberger 22 19 41
Jayden Kueter 11 08 19
Blake Leenderts 18 22 40
Hunter Leenderts 19 23 42
Karson Metzger 15 18 33
Maddox Metzger 21 20 41
Cody Moser 15 18 33
Jack Moser 22 23 45
Max Sammons 15 14 29
John Tiesler 23 21 44
Gracyn Wegener 17 19 39
Cash Wilsey 21 19 40
Michael Ykema 17 15 32

The Luverne High School trap shooting team posted scores for Week 7 of the season at the Rock County Sportsman’s Club.
Lucas Madison shot a perfect 25 in his second round this week, finishing with a total of 47.
Thirteen athletes were able to break the 40s this week, and scores are as follows:
 
Week 7 scoring
Round1   Round 2    Total
Cash Bonnett 21 22 43
Morgan Bonnett 14 15 29
Tyson Cowell 22 20 42
Alex DeWispelaere 20 19 39
Fox Forrest 8 10 18
Lucas Hansen 17 18 35
Jacob Henning 22 20 42
Samuel Honerman 22 22 44
Gavin Hoven 20 19 39
Andrew Kinsinger 22 23 45
Jacob Madison 18 22 40
Lucas Madison 22 25 47
Liam Murphy 21 19 40
Makayla Oechsle 18 17 35
Austin Ossefoort 21 23 44
Holden Overgaard 18 22 40
David Rathman 23 23 46
Jaden Reisch 17 19 36
JT Remme 23 22 45
Rayann Remme 18 17 35
Tucker Remme 15 15 30
Sawyer Sasker 16 16 32
Cameron Wieneke 17 18 35
Grant Wieneke 17 18 35
Piper Wynia 23 21 44

By Greg Hoogeveen
The LHS tennis team dropped four matches in the past week.
Luverne went on the road losing to Pipestone 3-2 Tuesday, May 9, Vermillion 7-2 Thursday, May 11, Yellow Medicine 5-2 and Montevideo 7-0 on Monday, May 15.
The Luverne tennis team was scheduled to host Fairmont Tuesday, May 16, and will host Benson and Lac Qui Parle Valley Thursday, May 18, and travel to a Quad at St. James Saturday, May 20. 
 
Pipestone 3, LHS 2
The Luverne tennis team traveled to Pipestone, winning one of four single matches and beating the Arrows in doubles Tuesday, May 9.
“This week’s matches were both very close. Just a few points swinging the other way for us would have given us a team win,” head coach Nathan Rud said.
“Ethan Nath played very well and Ross Bergman continues to improve every time out, and younger kids are coming along as well.”
In singles, senior Ethan Nath defeated Lucas Zupp, winning the first set 6-2, losing the second set 7-5, and winning the third 5-4. 
Senior Parker Carbonneau lost to Cody Norberg, winning the first set 6-2, and losing the last two sets 6-2, 6-3.
Senior Ross Bergman was defeated by Chase Wilson 6-3, 6-4.
Sophomore Kaleb Hemme was defeated by Mathew Swenson. Hemme won the first set 6-3 and lost the last two sets 6-3 and 6-2.
In two exhibition matches freshman Zander Carbonneau won 6-0 and freshman Elijah Henrichs lost a close match 6-7, 6-8.
The Luverne doubles team of Elijah Henrichs and Zander Carbonneau won by forfeit.
 
Vermillion 7, LHS 2
The Luverne tennis team went on the road Thursday, May 11, to play Vermillion.
Ethan Nath beat Caiden Mandernach 10-0.
Carbonneau lost to Lucus Green 10-4, Bergman was defeated by Grant Freeling 10-9, Carbonneau lost to Caleb Reins 10-3, Hemme lost to Theo Wittmuss 10-1, and Henrichs was defeated by Mason Freeling 10-0.
In doubles play Carbonneau and Hemme were defeated by Lucus Green and Mason Freeling 10-3.
Carbonneau and Nath beat Caiden Mandernach and Grant Freeling 10-2.
Freshmen Austin Sandbulte and Elijah Henrichs lost to Caleb Reins and Theo Wittmuss 10-2.
 
Yellow Medicine 5, LHS 2
The Luverne tennis team traveled to play Yellow Medicine losing 5-2 May 15.
In singles, Nath lost to Ryan Syring 6-1, 6-4, Carbonneau lost to Karter Canatsey 4-6, 6-3, 7-6, Bergman won against Liam Hadfield 6-0, 6-0, and Luverne gave up the last match by forfeit.
In doubles play Carbonneau and Hemme lost to Gage Corner 6-3, 7-5, Sandbulte and Henrichs beat Devin Ladwig and Mathias Vonderharr 6-3, 6-2, Luverne lost the last doubles match to forfeit.
 
Montevideo 7, LHS 0
The LHS tennis team traveled to Montevideo, losing 7-0 May 15.
In singles, Nath lost to Tyson Quigley 7-5, 6-2, Carbonneau lost to Simon Fitzkappes 6-0, 6-2, Bergman lost to Gabriel Lindermann 6-2, 6-0 and LHS gave up one match due to forfeit.
In doubles play, Carbonneau and Hemme lost to Soden and Ostendorf 6-0, 6-1, Sandbulte and Henrichs lost to Hagen and Canatsey 6-1, 6-0 and LHS gave up one doubles match due to forfeit.

The Luverne High School baseball team collected three more wins at home in the past week, nudging its season record to 12-3.
Luverne beat Jackson 7-6 Tuesday, May 9, and took two games from Redwood Valley 6-2, 10-0 Thursday, May 11.
The Cardinals were scheduled to travel to Worthington Tuesday, May 16, and they’ll host a doubleheader with Adrian/Ellsworth and Edgerton Monday, May 22. 
 
LHS 7, Jackson 6
Luverne beat Jackson County Central 7-6 Tuesday, May 9, at home after building a five-run lead through five innings.
In the bottom of the second, sophomore Layke Miller grounded out while scoring senior Riley Sneller from third base.
In the fourth inning Miller got his second RBI on a grounder to second, scoring Sneller once again from third.
In the fifth, junior Conner Connell sent a ball over the left field wall to bring in sophomore Carter Sehr from third and junior Elliot Domagala from second.
In the sixth and seventh innings Luverne gave up six runs total, letting the Huskies take the lead 6-5.
In the bottom of the seventh, with Luverne down by one run and one out, Connell tied the game at six on an error by the Huskies catcher.
With the game now tied and LHS with two outs, junior Jacob Stroh singled on a 2-2 count, and Sneller scored his third run of the game.
LHS seized the 7-6 victory, bringing their season record to 10 wins and three losses.
Connell started on the mound going 6 1/3 innings, allowing four hits and four runs while striking out 12 batters.
Stroh was given the win pitching two-thirds of an inning, giving up two hits and two runs and striking out two batters.
 
BOX Score
JHC 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 6
LHS 0 1 0 1 3 0 2 7
 
Batting
Luverne AB R H RBI
Sehr 3 1 1 0
Domagala 4 1 0 0
Serie 2 0 0 0
Connell 3 2 2 3
Sneller 2 3 1 0
Miller 3 0 0 2
DeBoer 4 0 0 0
Schlosser 1 0 1 0
Stroh 2 0 1 1
Kroski 2 0 0 0
Left on base: 6 
HR: Connell
TB: Connell 5, Schlosser, Sehr, Sneller, Stroh
SB: Connell, Schlosser, Sneller
 
Pitching
Luverne  IP  H R ER  SO
Connell   6.1  4 4  2   12
Stroh       .2   2  2  2   2
Win: Stroh
Pitches-Strikes: Connell 18-28, Stroh 1-5
 
LHS 6, Redwood 2
The Cardinals hosted Redwood Valley Thursday, May 11, for a doubleheader, beating the Redwood Cardinals 6-2 in Game 1 and 10-0 in the second game.
LHS won off solid pitching and smart base management.
Stroh started on the mound and pitched 4 1/3 innings while allowing five hits and two runs and striking out five batters.
Patrick Kroski and Sehr came in as relievers and held Redwood to only one hit between them.
Scoring for Luverne in the fourth inning were Serie off a Miller single, Stroh off  a Domagala ground ball single and Miller from third base on an error by Redwood’s first baseman.
The Cardinals added three more runs in the sixth inning. Landon Ahrendt scored from third on an error by the center fielder, and Domagala and Zach DeBoer scored off a Schlosser hard ground ball past the shortstop.
 
BOX Score
RWV 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2
LHS 0 0 0 3 0 3 x 6
 
Batting
Luverne AB R H RBI
Sehr 2 0 0 0
Sneller 3 0 0 0
Serie 3 1 1 0
Connell 3 0 0 0
Stroh 2 1 0 0
Ahrendt 0 1 0 0
Miller 2 1 1 1
Domagala 2 1 2 1
DeBoer 3 1 1 0
Schlosser 3 0 1 2
Left on base: 3 
TB: DeBoer, Domagala 2, Miller, Schlosser, Serie
SB: DeBoer, Sehr
 
Pitching
Luverne IP H R ER  SO
Stroh      4.1  5  2  2   5
Kroski      1   1  0  0   1
Sehr       1.2  0  0  0   5
Win: Sehr
Pitches-Strikes: Stroh 82-49, Kroski 18-9, Sehr 21-16
 
LHS 10, Redwood 0
Luverne blanked Redwood 10-0 in the second game of the May 11 doubleheader, allowing the Redwood Cardinals only two total hits in the five-inning game.
DeBoer pitched the full five innings and did not give up a run while striking out six batters and walking one.
Luverne collected 10 RBIs off 11 hits. Six of the RBIs came from Connell and DeBoer with three apiece.
LHS covered 15 total bases in the game and had four doubles.
 
BOX Score
LHS  0 0 5 1 4 x x 10
RWV 0 0 0 0 0 x x  0
 
Batting
Luverne AB R H RBI
Sehr 4 2 2 0
Sneller 2 2 0 0
Serie 2 2 1 1
Connell 3 1 3 3
Domagala 3 1 1 1
Miller 2 0 0 0
Stroh 1 0 0 0
DeBoer 2 1 1 3
Schlosser 3 1 2 0
Buss 2 0 1 2
Left on base: 7 
2B: Connell, DeBoer, Schlosser, Sehr
TB: Connell 4, DeBoer 2, Domagala, Buss, Schlosser 3, Sehr 3, Serie
SB: Sehr, Sneller
 
Pitching
Luverne IP H R ER  SO
DeBoer   5   2   0   0    6
Win: DeBoer
Pitches-Strikes: DeBoer 71-51

The Luverne High School softball team upped its season record to 10-6 after a successful week on the ball diamonds.
The Cardinals beat Windom 3-1 and 14-1 at home in a doubleheader May 9. They took down Blue Earth 18-0 and 21-5 in a doubleheader on the road May 11 and beat Adrian at home 21-5 on May 15.
Luverne was scheduled to host Worthington Tuesday, May 16, and Edgerton Thursday, May 18.
 
LHS 3, Windom 1
The Cardinals softball host team pulled away from the Eagles in the fourth, closing the inning leading 3-1 during the first game of the Windom doubleheader on May 9.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Cardinals’ first two batters, sophomore Amira Cowell and junior Anika Boll, reach first on errors.
Sophomore Payton Behr then grounded into a fielder’s choice, Cowell reached third on a throw to second and scored on an error by the catcher.
Boll and Behr then scored off a hard single to center field by junior Kenedee Franken.
Junior Gracie Nath pitched a complete game for LHS, allowing five hits and one run, striking out 10 and walking none.
 
BOX Score
WHS 0 0 1 0 0 0 0  1
LHS 0  0 0 3 0 0 x 3
 
BATTING
Luverne AB R H RBI
Smidt 4 0 1 0
Olson 3 0 0 0
Reisdorfer 3 0 0 0
Cowell 3 1 1 0
Boll 2 1 1 0
Behr 3 1 1 0
Franken 3 0 1 2
Serie 2 0 0 0
Kracht 2 0 0 0
Lenz 1 0 0 0
3B: Smidt
Total bases: Smidt 3, Cowell, Franken, Behr, Boll
SB: Serie, Reisdorfer
 
PITCHING
Luverne IP H R    ER   SO
Nath         7    5   1     0    10
Pitches-Strikes: Nath 88-63
Batters faced: Nath 26
 
LHS 14, Windom 1
The Cardinals started the second game against Windom on May 9 in Luverne where they left off in the first game — in charge.
“We really came out with an aggressive mindset at the plate, and it paid off,” head coach Brooks Maurer said.
“We had 11 different girls get hits, which was fun to see as a coach.”
Luverne scored 14 points off nine hits and had a team total of 14 RBIs, five of them coming from senior Carly Olson.
In the second inning, 
Behr scored off a bases-loaded walk. Olson then drove one out of the park with the bases still loaded for a grand slam.
Junior Tori Serie, sophomore Regan Mehlhaff and junior Elizabeth Smidt all crossed home plate with Olson, making the score 5-0 at the end of the second inning.
Freshman Allie Kracht scored for Luverne in the third, and sophomore Ella Reisdorfer scored in the fourth inning, making it a 7-1 game after four.
The fifth and sixth innings were stalemates with no runs scored.
 In the seventh inning the flood gates opened and the Cardinals doubled their score, driving senior Kaylee Lenz, Serie, Kracht, Smidt, Olson, Reisdorfer and Cowell across home plate.
Cowell led things off on the mound for LHS, pitching five innings, allowing one run on four hits, striking out one.
 
BOX Score
LHS  0 5 1 1 0 0 7 14
WHS 0 0 0 1 0 0 x 1
 
BATTING
Luverne AB R H RBI
Smidt 3 2 0 2
Olson 4 2 1 5
Reisdorfer 4 2 2 2
Cowell 4 1 1 1
Boll 4 0 1 1
Behr 3 1 2 2
Franken 2 0 0 0
Lenz 1 1 0 0
Serie 4 2 2 1
Mehlhaff 3 1 0 0
2B: Behr, Reisdorfer
3B: Serie
HR: Olson
Total bases: Serie 4, Olson 4, Behr 3, Reisdorfer 3, Boll, Cowell
SB: Reisdorfer 2, Behr, Cowell
 
PITCHING
Luverne IP H R    ER   SO
Cowell      5    4   1    0     1
Nath         2    0   0    0     1
Pitches-Strikes: Cowell 99-59, Nath 17-14
Batters faced: Cowell 22, Nath 6
 
LHS 18, Blue Earth 0
Gracie Nath took the mound throwing a no-hitter over four innings to help beat the Buccaneers 18-0 in Blue Earth on May 11.
Nath struck out six and walked one.
The Cardinal batters could not be stopped, racking up 18 hits and 14 RBIs in the game.
Olson and Serie hit two doubles while Boll and Behr added one each.
Reisdorfer posted her second homer of the year, smacking one over the fence in the first inning, collecting one of her two RBIs with Olson on base.
 
BOX Score
LHS   5 5 8 0 x x x 18
BLRT 0 0 0 0 x x x 0
 
BATTING
Luverne AB R H RBI
Behr 4 3 3 1
Smidt 3 1 1 1
Olson 4 3 3 4
Reisdorfer 2 3 2 2
Cowell 3 3 2 1
Mehlhaff 1 1 0 0
Franken 2 1 1 1
Lenz 2 1 1 1
Serie 4 1 2 2
Boll 4 1 2 1
Kracht 4 0 1 0
2B: Olson 2, Serie 2, Boll, Behr
HR: Reisdorfer
Total bases: Olson 5, Reisdorfer 5, Behr 4, Serie 4, Boll 3, Cowell 2, Lenz, Franken, Kracht, Smidt
SB: Boll, Behr, Olson
 
PITCHING
Luverne IP H R  ER  SO
Nath         4  0   0   0    6
Pitches-Strikes: Nath 49-34
Batters faced: Nath 14
 
LHS 21, Blue Earth 5
The second game in Blue Earth played out much like the first. The LHS batters were on fire.
Blue Earth was able to get some offense going, scoring five on six hits.
Reisdorfer was clutch at bat for LHS going three for three at bat, crossing the plate twice, and posting six RBIs in the game.
She added another home run in the first inning, knocking in two of her six RBIs.
Boll had three RBIs and three runs, Mehlhaff drove in three RBIs and crossed the plate twice, and Olson added two RBIs and three runs in the game.
Cowell started on the mound pitching three innings, allowing four hits and five runs while striking out three batters.
Nath came in to relieve, pitching one inning, allowing two hits and no runs.
 
BOX Score
BLRT  0 0 5 0 x x x   5
LHS    8 8 5 x x x x  21
 
BATTING
Luverne AB R H RBI
Behr 2 2 2 1
Smidt 2 3 1 1
Olson 2 3 1 2
Reisdorfer 3 2 3 6
Cowell 1 1 1 1
Nath 0 0 0 0
Serie 2 2 1 1
Boll 4 3 3 3
Lenz 3 2 1 0
Mehlhaff 3 2 2 2
2B: Reisdorfer, Boll
HR: Reisdorfer
Total bases: Reisdorfer 7, Boll 4, Behr 2, Mehlhaff2, Olson, Smidt, Cowell, Serie, Lenz
 
PITCHING
Luverne IP H R  ER  SO
Cowell      3 4   5   3    3
Nath         1  2   0   0    1
Pitches-Strikes: Cowell 64-42, Nath 15-11
Batters faced: Cowell 19, Nath 5
 
LHS 16, Adrian 1
The Cardinals softball team fired up early and didn’t look back against Adrian Monday night, May 15.
In the first inning Reisdorfer doubled, scoring Behr and Mehlhaff to go ahead 2-0.
In the second inning Luverne let loose, driving in 11 runs and put the game out of reach for the Dragons.
Scoring in the second  was Lenz off a Smidt single. Kracht, Behr and Smidt crossed the plate on an Olson double.
Mehlhaff scored on a Boll sacrifice fly.
Reisdorfer scored when Lenz was hit by a pitch.
Cowell scored when Kracht picked up a walk.
Serie scored on a Behr single, and Lenz scored on an error by the shortstop.
Kracht scored on a Smidt fly ball single.
Behr scored on a wild pitch.
In the third inning the Cardinals added two more runs when Smidt singled to center. Lenz scored and Kracht scored, beating the throw to home.
And finally in the fourth inning Boll scored on a Serie double.
Nath got the win, pitching four innings, allowing one run on two hits and striking out seven batters.
 
BOX Score
AHS 0  0  0 1  x x x   1
LHS 2 11  2 1 x x x  16
 
BATTING
Luverne AB R H RBI
Behr 2 3 1 1
Mehlhaff 0 2 0 0
Smidt 4 1 3 4
Olson 3 0 2 3
Reisdorfer 1 1 1 2
Franken 1 0 0 0
Cowell 1 1 0 0
Nath 1 0 0 0
Boll 3 1 1 1
Serie 3 1 1 1
Lenz 0 3 0 1
Kracht 1 3 1 1
2B: Olson, Kracht, Reisdorfer, Serie
Total bases: Olson 3, Smidt 3, Kracht 2, Reisdorfer 2, Serie 2, Behr, Boll
SB: Behr 2
 
PITCHING
Luverne IP H R  ER   SO
Nath        4   2   1   1    7
Pitches-Strikes: Nath 63-38
Batters faced: Nath 16

The Hills-Beaver Creek golf teams participated in the Red Rock Conference No. 3 meet on Tuesday, May 9.
The boys’ team traveled to Westbrook-Walnut Grove, finishing six out of seven teams, and the girls played at Slayton and did not place with only two girls competing.
The Patriots traveled to Adrian May 12 where the boys lost 161-209 and the girls played a two-on-two match with the Dragons.
H-BC was scheduled to travel to the Red Rock Conference golf meet No. 4 in Worthington Tuesday, May 16, and the Patriots will take on Lamberton Thursday, May 18, on the road.
 
Red Rock Conference golf meet No. 3
The Hills-Beaver Creek golf team competed in the Red Rock Conference golf meet No. 3 Tuesday, May 9.
Heron Lake-Okabena-Fulda/Westbrook Walnut Grove took first with a combined 18-hole score of 318. Adrian/Ellsworth placed second with 328, Southwest Christian-Edgerton was third with 357, Mountain Lake Area-Comfrey was fourth with 369, Murray County Central was fifth with 399, Hills-Beaver Creek was sixth with 409, and Red Rock Central finished seventh with 410.
“The boys’ team shot a low score for the year and so did Cameron Allen and Micah Bush,” Patriots head coach Dan Ellingson said.
Bush, a freshman, led the Patriots with an 18-hole score of 92.
Allen, a sophomore, turned in a two-round total of 93, eighth-grader Camdyn Broesder finished with a 109, senior Brock Harnack posted a 115, and junior Cooper Gehrke finished with a 124.
Freshman Abby Olson turned in an 18-hole score of 132, and junior Taylor Spykerboer shot a 193.
“The girls’ team did not have a good day,” Ellingson said. “They started off poor and never recovered.” 
 
H-BC vs. Adrian
In a golf meet at Adrian Friday, May 12, the Patriot boys lost to Adrian 161-209 in nine-hole play.
“This was the first time our players have played at Adrian,” Ellingson said.
“Although our scores were not the best of the year, our experience is helping us to make better decisions on the course.”
He said the boys are on the verge of breaking the 200-stroke team barrier for nine holes.
“I feel like we will do that this week,” Ellingson said. “Either Tuesday at Worthington or Thursday at Sanborn.”
Allen led H-BC with a round of 49, Harnack turned in a score of 50, Bush shot a 51, Broesder finished with a 59 and Gehrke shot a 63.
For the girls’ team Olson turned in a round of 59 and Spykerboer shot a 65.
Both H-BC and Adrian had only two female golfers in the meet.