Redbirds open playoffs against Heron Lake Lakers

The Luverne Redbirds completed a 21-2 regular season Sunday in Jackson.
The team was 17-2 in league play and finished second in the Gopher League to the Milroy Irish (24-3 overall, 18-1 league).
Milroy’s only league loss was a 14-2 setback to Luverne on June 29.
The Irish received a bye for the league playoffs that open Wednesday, July 20.
The Redbirds will face the Heron Lake Lakers (3-16 in league play) in the best-of-three league crossover series.
Luverne defeated Heron Lake 13-3 on July 10.
The Lakers’ victories are against Worthington (19-12), Mountain Lake (7-1) and Gibbon (12-10).
Heron Lake finished seventh in the First Nite league. The Windom Pirates (16-3) finished first in the league.
The Gopher and First Nite leagues combine to make Region 13C for the playoffs.
“We were really pleased with our 21-2 season,” said Luverne player-manager Brooks Maurer.
“We were hoping for the one seed out of our league, but fell one win short,” Maurer said, “Hopefully we are able to make a long playoff run.”
 
Final League Standings
 
Gopher League
1. Milroy Irish                       18-1
2. Luverne Redbirds              17-2
3. Hadley Buttermakers      14-5
4. Adrian A’s                        7-12
5. Ruthton Royals               5-14
6. Pipestone A’s                  5-14
7. Worthington Cubs           2-16
 
First Nite League
1. Windom Pirates               16-3
2. Jackson Bulls                  13-6
3. Fairmont Martins             12-7
4. Fox Lake Foxes               7-12
5. Lakefield Horned Frogs  7-12
6. Mountain Lake Lakers    6-12
7. Heron Lake Lakers          3-16 
 
                             
League Playoffs
 
Luverne vs Heron Lake
Wed, July 20 at Luverne 7:30
Sat, July 23 at Heron Lake 2:00
*Sun, July 24 at Luverne 2:00
 
Hadley vs Mountain Lake
Wed, July 20 at Mt. Lake 7:30
Sat, July 23 at Hadley 2:00
*Sun, July 24 at Hadley 2:00
 
Adrian vs. Lakefield
Wed, July 20 at Lakefield 7:30
Fri, July 22 at Adrian 7:30
*Sun, July 24 at Adrian 2:00
 
Jackson vs Worthington
Wed, July 20 at Jackson 7:30
Fri, July 22 at Worthington 7:30
*Sun, July 24 at Jackson 2:00
 
Fairmont vs Pipestone
Wed, July 20 at Fairmont 7:30
Fri, July 22 at Pipestone 7:30
*Sun, July 24 at Fairmont 2:00
 
Fox Lake vs Ruthton
Wed, July 20 at Truman 7:30
Fri, July 22 at Ruthton 2:00
*Sun, July 24 at Truman 2:00
*If necessary