The Blue Mounds State Park naturalist will offer the following upcoming programs. Contact bluemounds.statepark@state.mn.us or 507-283-6050 with questions.
Colors of the Prairie will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 2, at Eagle Rock Vista. Join the naturalist for a walk on the prairie to see what plants are blooming in early June and what makes prairie plants and wildflowers unique.
The prairie walk may cover up to 1.5 miles. Come prepared with sun and insect protection, a water bottle, and good walking shoes.  All ages welcome.
Pollinator Power Nature Cart will be from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Friday, June 2, at the Eagle Rock Vista.
Pollinators — birds, bees, and butterflies — play an important role in the ecosystem and putting food on everyone’s table. Meet some of the Blue Mounds’ most common pollinator species during the stop-and-go style program.
Bison Babies Nature Cart will be from 2-3:30 p.m. Saturday, June 3, at the Eagle Rock Vista.
With calving season in full swing, drop by the pop-up naturalist’s station for some quick facts about the park’s new herd members.
Predators of the Sky will be from 7 to 8 p.m. Saturday, June 3, at the amphitheater. Learn about the park’s birds of prey and how these birds use their adaptations to conquer the sky. Bring a chair as seating is limited. All ages welcome.
Our Fellow Travelers will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 9, at the amphitheater
Join the naturalist to learn about migration — the how and why of seasonal migration, how it has changed over time, and the current migration paths through Blue Mounds State Park. Who is passing through and who is here to stay? Bring a chair as seating is limited.

Today our culture has an estranged relationship with the truth. Mankind’s highest pursuit used to be seeking truth at all costs. Faith, science and philosophy were once kindred spirits chasing this same goal but from different approaches.
In the Middle Ages, theology was considered the queen of the sciences. God's revelation in the Scriptures provided the foundation upon which all other scientific discoveries could be built. It was the sovereign power that ruled over all scholarship.
In the course of time, a great revolt occurred. Humans usurped the authority belonging to God and His word, and made reason, feelings and personal experience their queen. As a result, truth was no longer measured against God's will but against mankind’s most sinful desire: to be one’s own god. This divorce of theology from science did not begin in our lifetime, but we now live with the consequences.
For instance, many people believe that marriage is no longer just for a man and a woman, as God designed it. Marital divorce is so commonplace that people accept it as an inevitability in half of all marriages. Unborn children, the godly gift that flows from marriage, continue to be aborted at alarming rates, even as states other than our own seek to protect these vulnerable humans.
Troubled souls are being taught to question and deny the truth of their biological sex. Children are subjected to mutilating surgeries in an attempt to "reassign" their sex. Minnesota now touts itself as a sanctuary for anyone who wants to defy the laws of their own state and undergo such life-altering surgery here.
Men dress as women, not for a laugh but as a lifestyle, and insist on having young children as their audience. Meanwhile, some parents bring their children to these shows to demonstrate just how progressive they are.
Even some so-called Christian churches, who have long discarded the parts of the Bible they no longer agree with, proudly wave the rainbow flag of this new religion which seems more focused on embracing every new deviancy than seeking the truth of God. To say this is a Satanic attack is an understatement. The accuser delights in tempting us to follow our own divergent desires and prideful proclivities.
How should the Christian respond? First, in prayer and repentance for our own sins. It is important to recognize that none of us are without sin and we all fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). When we speak the truth to others, we do so as fellow sinners who share the will of God, “who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4)
Second, we must speak in love. As followers of Christ and with consciences bound to the Scriptures, we are obligated to stand up for what’s true out of our love for fellow sinners who need to hear the truth. As Jesus said, “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father.” (John 14:21) And, “we love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:9)
Thus, following God’s will, we both reject the ideologies of the present age while also pointing all people to Jesus who said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

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 25: 8:30 a.m. Missions in Action. Sunday, May 28: 9 a.m. Worship Service. Monday, May 29: Office is closed. Tuesday, May 30: 8:30 a.m. Grace Notes assembly. 9 a.m. Staff meeting. Wednesday, May 31: 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
Friday, May 26: 6:30 a.m. Community Men’s Bible Study. Sunday, May 28: 9:30 a.m. Worship Service with Holy Communion. 10:50 a.m. Sunday School. Tuesday, May 30: 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 24: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Prayer chapel. 5:30 p.m. Community meal. 8 p.m. AA meeting. Saturday, May 27: 8 p.m. AA meeting. Sunday, May 28: 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 29: 6:30 p.m. Genesis to Revelation Bible Study. Tuesday, May 30: 9:30 a.m. Folding Team. Wednesday, May 31: 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 24: 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 28: 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). Monday, May 29: 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
Sunday, May 28: 10 a.m. JOINT worship service at Palisade Lutheran Church. No Sunday School. 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
Sunday, May 28: 10 a.m. JOINT worship service at Palisade Lutheran Church. 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 had eight shooters in the 40s this week.
They were Brekken Boen 43, Gunner Bork 42, Sawyer Bosch 42, Luke Fuerstenberg 43, Cooper Gehrke 42, Lukas Hubbard 41, Blake Leenderts 40 and Jack Moser 44.
 
Weekly scoring                 Round1   Round 2    Total
Cameron Allen                       18             19           37
Garrett Blank                          16              20          36
Brekken Boen                         21              22           43
Seyler Boen                             10               3           13
Gunner Bork                           20              22          42
Olivia Bork                              11             16           27
Sawyer Bosch                          18              24          42
Camdyn Broesder                   18              21           39
Karis DeWire                           16             15            31
Luke Fuerstenberg                  23              20           43
Alexis Gardner Swenson         14              11           25
Cooper Gehrke                       19              23           42
Alex Harris                             18             21           39
Brooklynne Hubbard               16             15            31
Lukas Hubbard                       19              22           41
Keaton Huisman                      14             11           25
Clayton Kellenberger              19              20           39
Jayden Kueter                           8              15           23
Blake Leenderts                      19              21           40
Hunter Leenderts                    16             18            34
Karson Metzger                      10               6            16
Maddox Metzger                    18             21            39
Cody Moser                            17              17            34
Jack Moser                              22              22           44
Max Sammons                        12              10            22
John Tiesler                            20              17            37
Gracyn Wegener                     14              13            27
Cash Wilsey                            13              17           30
Michael Ykema                       20              18            38

In the last week of Minnesota State High School League shooting, Luverne’s Samuel Honerman and JT Remme shot perfect 25s at the Rock County Sportsman’s Club. Honerman finished with a two-round total of 49, and Remme shot a 48.
LHS will compete in the 2023 Trap Shooting Championship in Alexandria June 12-20 with participating team members to be determined. 
 
Weekly scoring   Round1  Round 2    Total
Landon Ahrendt        23           22           45
Morgan Bonnett        19           18           37
Tyson Cowell             22          21           43
Alex DeWispelaere     20          23           43
Fox Forrest               10           10           20
Lucas Hansen            17          19           36
Jacob Henning           19           22          41
Samuel Honerman     24           25          49
Gavin Hoven             19            18          37
Andrew Kinsinger      20           22          42
Jacob Madison          22           19           41
Lucas Madison          23           23           46
Liam Murphy             22           23           45
Makayla Oechsle       20           19           39
Austin Ossefoort       23           22           45
Holden Overgaard     21          24           45
David Rathman         21           22           43
Jaden Reisch             23           23           46
JT Remme                 25           23           48
Rayann Remme         16           18           34
Tucker Remme          17          15           32
Sawyer Sasker           19          18           37
Cameron Wieneke     17          16           33
Grant Wieneke          12           21           33
Piper Wynia               23           22           45

The Luverne baseball team played five games this past week and improved their record to 16-4 for the season.
The Cardinals beat Worthington 14-4 away May 16, they blanked Windom 9-0 on the road May 18, lost to Fairmont 5-1 in the Big South Championship in Fairmont May 20, and took down Adrian/Ellsworth 1-0 and Edgerton 7-2 at Redbird Field May 22.
The Cardinals were scheduled to play Murray County Central at home Tuesday, May 23.
Seeding for Section 3AA baseball took place Wednesday, May 24.
 
LHS 14, Worthington 4
Luverne started out strong against Worthington and took home a 14-4 win in Worthington May 16.
In the first inning LHS fired up the offense, scoring six runs. 
Sophomore Carter Sehr started off the drive, stealing home from third .
Senior Riley Sneller scored on a fly ball by junior Will Serie to left field.
Junior Conner Connell scored, stealing home.
Sophomore Alex Schlosser doubled and scored Serie.
Senior Zach DeBoer scored from third on an error by the pitcher.
Schlosser scored on an error by the Trojans right fielder.
Luverne ended the first inning with a 6-1 lead.
In the second inning LHS added two more runs from Sneller and junior Jacob Stroh.
In the third inning the Cardinals scored four more runs.
Sneller tripled, scoring Sehr.
Serie singled to center, scoring Sneller and Stroh, and Connell scored on a wild pitch.
The Trojans rallied in the bottom of the third, scoring three, and cut the lead to 12-4 in the Cardinals’ favor.
In the fifth inning Luverne added two more runs with Stroh scoring when junior Kai Buss got hit by a pitch.
Connell scored after tagging up on a Schlosser fly ball to center field.
Buss got the win, pitching two innings, surrendering zero runs on no hits, striking out two and walking one.
 
BOX Score
LHS    6 2 4 0 2 x x 14
WRTH 1 0 3 0 0 x x  4
 
Batting
Luverne   AB  R H RBI
Sehr           2   2   0   0
Ahrendt     0   0   0   0
Sneller       3   3   3   1
Vortherms  1   0   0   0
Stroh          3   3   2   1
Connell      2   3   1   0
Serie          3   1   2   3
Miller         0   0   0   0
Domagala  4   0   1   1
DeBoer      2   1   0   0
Buss          0   0   0   1
Schlosser   4   1   1   2
Kroski        3   0   1   0
Left On Base: 7
2B: Domagala, Schlosser, Serie, Stroh
3B: Sneller 2
TB: Connell, Domagala 2, Kroski, Schlosser 2, Serie 3, Sneller 7, Stroh 3
SB: Connell 2, Kroski, Sehr, Sneller 2, Stroh
 
Pitching
Luverne IP H R ER  SO
Sehr      2.1   2   2   1   2
Ahrendt  .2   2   2   2   1
Buss        2   0   0   0   2
Win: Buss
Pitches-Strikes: Sehr 46-27, Ahrendt 24-12, Buss 31-17
 
LHS 9, Windom 0
The Cardinals held the Eagles scoreless, winning 9-0 on the road May 18.
LHS opened the first inning with four runs on a Sneller triple, scoring Sehr. Sneller scored on a Stroh single, and Connell parked one over the fence and drove in Stroh from first base.
In the second inning Sehr singled on a fly ball to center, scoring Schlosser.
After two innings LHS went up 5-0.
In the fifth inning the Cardinals added two more runs. Sneller scored, tagging up from third on a Connell drive to center field, and Stroh scored on a Domagala single.
In the sixth inning Vortherms scored when Connell was hit by a pitch, and Sneller scored on a wild pitch.
Connell played a solid game, scoring once on two hits, and one home run. He also had four RBIs and had six total bases in the game.
Sneller finished the game with three runs, one RBI,  one triple and covered three total bases.
DeBoer pitched a full game, surrendering zero runs on two hits, striking out five and walking one.
 
BOX Score
LHS  4 1 0 0 2 2 0 9
WHS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
 
Batting
Luverne     AB R H RBI
Sehr             4   1   2   1
Sneller         2   3   1   1
Stroh           3   2   2   1
Buss            1   0   0   0
Connell        3   1   2   4
Serie            3   0   0   0
Miller           1   0   0   0
Domagala    2   0   1   1
Vortherms   0   1   0   0
DeBoer        3   0   0   0
Schlosser     3   1   1   0
Kroski          1   0   0   0
Ahrendt       3   0   0   0
Left On base: 9
2B: Connell, Schlosser
3B: Sneller 
HR: Connell
TB: Connell 6, Domagala, Schlosser 2, Sehr 2, Sneller 3, Stroh 2
SB: Sehr
 
Pitching
Luverne  IP H R ER  SO
DeBoer     7   2   0   0   5
Win: DeBoer
Pitches-Strikes: DeBoer 75-51
 
Fairmont 5, LHS 1
Luverne traveled to Fairmont for the Big South Championship May 20.
Fairmont (15-1), the winner of the conference’s Big School Division, hosted Luverne (14-3), the winner of the Small School Division, and won the game 5-1.
LHS was unable to get things going and fell behind Fairmont 3-1 through five innings.
In the sixth inning the Cardinals were finally able to score when Connell singled to left field, scoring Sehr.
The Cardinals produced one run on three team hits and left seven on base in the game while committing seven errors.
Connell, Sehr and Sneller each had one stolen base against Fairmont.
Connell started on the mound for LHS, pitching 5 1/3 innings. He surrendered five runs on five hits, striking out six batters.
 
BOX Score
LHS 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1
FHS 0 1 0 0 2 2 x 5
 
Batting
Luverne AB R H RBI
Sehr            3   1   0   0
Sneller       3   0   0   0
Stroh           2   0   0   0
Connell       3   0   1   1
Serie           2   0   0   0
Domagala   3   0   1   0
DeBoer        3   0   0   0
Schlosser    3   0   1   0
Kroski         2   0   0   0
Miller          0   0   0   0
Left On Base: 7
TB: Connell, Domagala, Schlosser
SB: Connell, Sehr, Sneller
 
Pitching
Luverne  IP H R ER  SO
Connell   5.1 5   5   2   6
Sehr        .2   0   0   0   0
Pitches-Strikes: Connell 93-59, Sehr 5-3
 
LHS 1, Adrian/Ellsworth o
The Luverne baseball team played a tight game against Adrian/Ellsworth at Redbird Field May 22.
The Cardinals pulled off the 1-0 win in the seventh inning when DeBoer singled on a ground ball to center field, scoring Vortherms from second base.
Luverne had six hits in the game and left four on base.
Adrian/Ellsworth had one hit and left one on base.
Sehr started on the mound for LHS, going six innings, giving up zero runs on one hit, striking out five, and walking one.
Kroski came in to relieve in the seventh inning, allowing zero hits and zero runs, striking out one and no walks.
 
BOX Score
AHS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
LHS 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
 
Batting
Luverne    AB R H RBI
Sehr             3   0   1   0
Sneller        2   0   0   0
Stroh           2   0   0   0
Connell        3   0   0   0
Serie            2   0   0   0
Vortherms   0   1   0   0
Domagala    3   0   2   0
DeBoer         3   0   2   1
Miller           3   0   0   0
Schlosser     2   0   1   0
Left On base: 4
TB: DeBoer 2, Domagala 2, Schlosser, Sehr
 
Pitching
Luverne  IP H R ER  SO
Sehr         6   1   0   0   5
Kroski      1   0   0   0   1
Pitches-Strikes: Sehr 67-48, Kroski 10-7
 
LHS 7, Edgerton 2
Luverne hosted Edgerton in a second game after the Adrian/Ellsworth game May 22.
The Cardinals beat the Flying Dutchmen 7-2 with a huge third inning run.
Edgerton struck first in the second inning, scoring one, and added one more in the top of the third.
In the bottom of the third inning Luverne came alive, scoring seven runs of their own.
DeBoer started the scoring by crossing home plate from second base on a Sehr fly ball to left field.
LHS added two more on the next batter. Sneller doubled to left, scoring Schlosser and Sehr.
With two outs on the board, Connell sent one over the fence, driving in Sneller and adding one run himself.
Serie got hit by a pitch on the next at bat and took over first base, then advanced to second on an error by the catcher.
Domagala singled on a fly ball to second and Serie scored on the play.
Domagala reached third on a passed ball and scored on an error by the catcher.
Luverne finished the third inning with a 7-2 lead, and that is where the score stood for the rest of the game.
Stroh started on the mound for Luverne, throwing four innings, allowing two runs on one hit and an error, and striking out eight batters.
Buss came in to relieve Stroh in the fifth inning, finishing the game without allowing a hit or run.
 
BOX Score
EDGR 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2
LHS    0 0 7 0 0 0 x 7
 
Batting
Luverne AB R H RBI
Sehr            4   1   2   1
Sneller       4   1   2   2
Stroh          3   0   0   0
Connell       3   1   1   2
Serie           2   1   0   0
Domagala   2   1   1   1
Miller          2   0   0   0
DeBoer        2   1   0   0
Schlosser   3   1   1   0
Left On base: 4
2B: Sehr 2, Sneller
HR: Connell
TB: Connell 4, Domagala, Schlosser, Sehr 4, Sneller 3
 
Pitching
Luverne IP H R ER  SO
Stroh       4   1   2   1   8
Buss         3   0   0   0   0
Pitches-Strikes: Stroh 73-41, Buss 39-21

The Hills-Beaver Creek track and field teams had successful outings in the past week with top placings in Worthington and Slayton.
The Patriots competed in the Trojan Relays Tuesday, May 16, where the H-BC boys and girls placed second among Class A teams.
H-BC athletes competed in the Red Rock Conference meet May 18 in Slayton where the girls’ team placed third and the boys were fourth.
The Patriots will travel to Pipestone Thursday, May 25, for Section 3A Sub-Sections and Montevideo Thursday, June 1, for Sections.
 
Trojan Relays
Both the boys’ and girls’ H-BC teams placed second in Class A team competition at the Worthington Trojan Relays on May 16.
H-BC placed first in four events at the meet.
Brynn Bakken took first place in three individual events, 100 meters with a time of 12.77, 200 meters with a time of 26.75 and the triple jump with a distance of 33 feet, 10 inches.
Bakken was part of the 4-by-100-meter relay with Abigail Harris, Layla Deelstra and Brynn Rauk that took first place with a time of 52.65.
Beau Bakken placed first in the shot put with a throw of 43 feet, 5 1/4 inches.
In the boys’ team competition, Southwest Minnesota Christian-Edgerton placed first in Class A with 143 team points. Hills-Beaver Creek was second with 95, Tracy-Milroy-Balaton was third with 87, Heron Lake-Okebena/Fulda was fourth with 85, Worthington was fifth with 80.67, Adrian/Ellsworth was sixth with 73, Westbrook-Walnut Grove-Red Rock Central was seventh with 61, and Murray County Central was eighth with 55.33 combined team points.
In the girls’ team results, Southwest Minnesota Christian-Edgerton placed first in Class A with 179 team points. Hills-Beaver Creek was second with 137, Murray County Central was third with 121, Tracy-Milroy-Balaton was fourth with 77.5, Westbrook-Walnut Grove-Red Rock Central was fifth with 51, Adrian/Ellsworth was sixth with 43, Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda was seventh with 42 and Worthington was eighth with 20.5 combined team points.
Individual event results for the meet are as follows:
 
Girls’ 100 Meter Hurdles
Fifth, 19.20, Ava Steinhoff
Ninth, 19.95, Larissa Steinhoff
 
Boys’ 110 Meter Hurdles
Sixth, 21.24, Jackson Gehrke
Seventh, 21.50, James Vanden Bosch
 
Girls’ 100 Meters
First, 12.77, Brynn Bakken
Fourth, 14.23, Brynn Rauk
 
Boys’ 100 Meters
Second, 12.08, Cooper Gehrke
Third, 12.33, Beau Bakken
 
Girls’ 4x200 Meter Relay
Third, 1:58.49, Brynn Rauk, Layla Deelstra, Hailey Moser, Sage DeBoer
 
Boys’ 4x200 Meter Relay
Second, 1:39.33, Cooper Gehrke, Beau Bakken, Blake Leenderts, Elisha Taubert
 
Girls’ 1600 Meters
Fourth 6:14.40, Bailey Spykerboer
11th, 7:07.55, Emma Deelstra
 
Girls’ 4x100 Meter Relay
First, 52.65, Abigail Harris, Layla Deelstra, Brynn Rauk, Brynn Bakken
 
Boys’ 4x100 Meter Relay
Second, 46.34, Mason Shaffner, Beau Bakken, Elisha Taubert, Cooper Gehrke
 
Girls’ 400 Meters
Second, 1:06.16, Abigail Harris
Sixth, 1:09.11, Hailey Moser
 
Boys’ 400 Meters
Sixth, 56.94, Micah Bush
Seventh, 57.38, Bode Kruger
 
Girls’ 300 Meter Hurdles
Third, 57.37, Ava Steinhoff
Seventh, 1:01.98, Larissa Steinhoff
 
Boys’ 300 Meter Hurdles
Fifth, 48.45, James Vanden Bosch
Sixth, 50.46, Jackson Gacke
 
Girls’ 800 Meters
Third, 2:26.63, Bailey Spykerboer
Seventh, 2:59.20, Ella Sammons
 
Boys’ 800 Meters
13th, 2:27.08, Lukas Hubbard
 
Girls’ 200 Meters
First, 26.75, Brynn Bakken
Second, 28.69, Abigail Harris
 
Boys’ 200 Meters
Seventh, 25.61, Blake Leenderts
 
Girls’ Discus Throw
Third, 85-00, Ally Birger
Fifth, 82-01, Isabel Wysong
 
Boys’ Discus Throw
Third, 106-00, Riley Tatge
Seventh, 97-04,Brayden Metzger
 
Girls’ Shot Put
Third, 29-10, Isabel Wysong
Fourth, 29-07, Ally Birger
 
Boys’ Shot Put
First, 43-05.25, Beau Bakken
Sixth, 38-07, Brayden Metzger
 
Girls’ Long Jump
Sixth, 13-11, Brynn Rauk
Seventh, 13-08, Abigail Harris
 
Boys’ Long Jump
Third, 18-06.25, Mason Shaffner
Seventh, 17-02, Sawyer Bosch
 
Girls’ Triple Jump
First, 33-10 Brynn Bakken
Fourth, 27-09, Bailey Spykerboer
 
Boys’ Triple Jump
Third, 37-10, Blake Leenderts
Fourth, 36-11.75, Sawyer Bosch
 
Girls’ High Jump
Second, 4-09, Ava Steinhoff
Sixth, 4-06, Larissa Steinhoff
 
Boys’ High Jump
Fifth, 5-06, James Vanden Bosch
Seventh, 5-02, Elisha Taubert
 
Red Rock Conference Track Meet
The Patriot boys’ team placed fourth with 114 combined team points out of seven and the girls were third with 140 points in Slayton, May 18.
H-BC had five first-place finishes at the meet.
Brynn Bakken placed first in the 100 meters with a time of 13.05, the 200 meters with a time of 26.67, long jump at 16 feet, one inch.
The Partiots’ team of Claire Knobloch, Layla Deelstra, Hailey Moser and Brynn Rauk took first in the girls’ 4-by-100-meter relay with a time of 54.72.
Beau Bakken placed first in the shot put with a toss of 40 feet, 10 1/2 inches.
Southwest Minnesota Christian-Edgerton placed first in Class A boys’ competition with 139 team points. Mountain Lake Area-Comfrey placed second with 129, Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda was third with 116, Hills-Beaver Creek took fourth with 114, Adrian/Ellsworth was fifth with 74, Murray County Central was sixth with 63 and Westbrook-Walnut Grove/Red Rock Central placed seventh with 57 team points.
In the girls’ team competition Southwest Minnesota Christian-Edgerton placed first in Class A with 191 team points.
Murray County Central was second with 144, Hills-Beaver Creek was third with 140, Mountain Lake Area-Comfrey was fourth with 78.5, Westbrook-Walnut Grove/Red Rock Central was fifth with 56, Adrian/Ellsworth was sixth with 47.5 and Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda placed seventh with 35 team points.
 
Individual event results for the meet are as follows:
 
Girls’ 4x800 Meter Relay
Fifth, 11:42.20, Bailey Spykerboer, Ella Sammons, Emma Deelstra, Sage DeBoer
 
Boys’ 4x800 Meter Relay
Fifth, 10:00.33, Jed Fagerness, Lukas Hubbard, Bode Kruger, Riggins Rheault
 
Girls’ 100 Meter Hurdles
Sixth, 19.05, Ava Steinhoff
Ninth, 19.66, Larissa Steinhoff
 
Boys’ 110 Meter Hurdles
Third, 18.86, James Vanden Bosch
Seventh, 21.36, Jackson Gacke
 
Girls’ 100 Meters
First, 13.05, Brynn Bakken
Third, 13.72, Abigail Harris
10th, 14.74, Sage DeBoer
 
Boys’ 100 Meters
Fourth, 12.06, Cooper Gehrke
Fifth, 12.21, Beau Bakken
Sixth, 12.26, Mason Shaffner
 
Girls’ 4x200 Meter Relay
Second, 1:57.74, Claire Knobloch, Layla Deelstra, Hailey Moser, Brynn Rauk
 
Boys’ 4x200 Meter Relay
Second, 1:38.19, James Vanden Bosch, Beau Bakken, Micah Bush, Cooper Gehrke
 
Girls’ 1600 Meters
Third 6:01.09, Bailey Spykerboer
 
Boys’ 1600 Meters
13th, 5:48.91, Max Sammons
 
Girls’ 4x100 Meter Relay
First, 54.72, Claire Knobloch, Layla Deelstra, Hailey Moser, Brynn Rauk
 
Boys’ 4x100 Meter Relay
Second, 46.93, Mason Shaffner, Beau Bakken, Blake Leemderts, Cooper Gehrke
 
Girls’ 400 Meters
Third, 1:04.67, Abigail Harris
12th, 1:15.05, Ella Sammons
 
Boys’ 400 Meters
Sixth, 54.65, Elisha Taubert
Ninth, 56.83, Blake Leenderts
14th, 1:04.87, Riggins Rheault
 
Girls’ 300 Meter Hurdles
Fifth, 55.98, Ava Steinhoff
 
Boys’ 300 Meter Hurdles
Seventh, 50.60, James Vanden Bosch
Eighth, 50.75, Jackson Gacke
13th, 56.27, Jamesyn Klosterbuer
 
Girls’ 200 Meters
First, 26.67, Brynn Bakken
Fourth, 29.20, Abigail Harris
Eighth, 30.73, Sage DeBoer
 
Boys’ 200 Meters
Fifth, 24.84, Elisha Taubert
10th, 25.67, Mason Shaffner
14th, 26.91, Sawyer Bosch
 
Girls’ 4x400 Meter Relay
Third, 4:34.09, Brynn Rauk, Hailey Moser, Bailey Spykerboer, Emma Deelstra
 
Boys’ 4x400 Meter Relay
Third, 3:52.14, Elisha Taubert, Micah Bush, Bode Kruger, Riley Tatge
 
Girls’ Shot Put
Second, 32-08, Isabel Wysong
Third, 31-07,75, Ally Birger
Fifth, 31-00, Larissa Steinhoff
 
Boys’ Shot Put
First, 40-10.5, Beau Bakken
Second, 40-01.5, Jackson Gacke
Third, 39-06.75, Brayden Metzger
 
Girls’ Discus Throw
Sixth, 82-04, Ally Birger
Seventh, 81-10, Larissa Steinhoff
14th, 68-01, Isabel Wysong
 
Boys’ Discus Throw
Second, 112-01, Jackson Gacke
Fifth, 109-01, Riley Tatge
Sixth, 103-01, Brayden Metzger
 
Girls’ High Jump
Third, 4-08, Ava Steinhoff
Fifth, 4-06, Larissa Steinhoff
 
Boys’ High Jump
Fourth, 5-06, James Vanden Bosch
Sixth, 5-04, Elisha Taubert
10th, 5-00, Jamin Metzger
 
Girls’ Long Jump
First, 16-01, Brynn Bakken
Sixth, 13-10.25, Brynn Rauk
Eighth, 13-07, Abigail Harris
 
Boys’ Long Jump
Sixth, 17-07, Mason Shaffner
11th, 16-09, Bode Kruger
11th, 16-09, Sawyer Bosch
 
Girls’ Triple Jump
Second, 34-03, Brynn Bakken
Fifth, 29-08.75, Bailey Spykerboer
Sixth, 29-03, Emma Deelstra
 
Boys’ Triple Jump
Third, 39-05, Blake Leenderts
Seventh, 36-02, Sawyer Bosch
Ninth, 35-00.5, Bode Kruger

The Hills-Beaver Creek golf teams participated in the Red Rock Conference meet in Worthington Tuesday, May 16.
Individually for the boys, the Patriots Micah Bush and Cameron Allen both turned in a two-round total of 93, Callum Bartels finished with a 112, Brock Harnack with a 115, Camdyn Broesder with a 132 and Cooper Gehrke finished with a 143.
“Micah Bush placed 13th individually in the four-week competition, missing the All-Conference team by three places, which consists of the Top 10 players,” head coach Dan Ellingson said.
“The boys are still looking to break that 400 barrier in team scoring. We are inching closer, and it would be a great way to finish the season and reach that goal.”
Week 4 of the Red Rock Conference boys’ team event saw Adrian/Ellsworth finish in front with a combined team score of 343. Heron Lake-Okabena-Fulda/Westbrook Walnut Grove took second with 346, Southwest Christian-Edgerton placed third with 388, Mountain Lake Area-Comfrey was fourth with 410, Hills-Beaver Creek finished fifth with 413, Murray County Central was sixth with 414 and Rock Central finished seventh with 432.
The Patriot girls’ golf team was not able to compile a team score due to only two golfers on their team.
In Week 4 Taylor Spykerboer finished with an 18-hole total score of 118 and Abigayl Olson shot a 121.
“Freshman Abby Olson made the Girls’ All-Conference Golf Team, a great accomplishment for her since she has only been golfing since last season,” Ellingson said.
“Taylor Spykerbboer had her best 18-hole score of the year and has improved during this season.”
The Patriot boys’ and girls’ golf teams will travel to Worthington Wednesday, May 24, for Section 3AA golf competition.

The Luverne High School softball team won three games in the past week to improve their season record to 13-6.
LHS beat Worthington at home 16-7 Tuesday, May 16, and took two games from Edgerton on the road 7-6, 9-6 Thursday, May 18.
Luverne will host Redwood Valley in Section 3AA play Saturday, May 27.
 
LHS 16, Worthington 7
The Cardinals softball team beat the Trojans 16-7 at home May 16 with a fifth-inning, eight-run rally.
Luverne started out slow, falling behind 6-3 in the third inning, giving up five runs in the first and committing several errors in the field.
The Cardinals tied the game in the fourth inning with help from a home run from sophomore Payton Behr that scored junior Anika Boll and freshman Allie Kracht.
In the fifth inning Luverne’s bats came alive with eight runs.
Behr doubled to center, scoring junior Tori Serie and Boll.
Junior Elizabeth Smidt drove in Kracht, and Behr reached second on a Worthington error at shortstop. 
Smidt scored on a fly ball by sophomore Ella Reisdorfer who reached first on an error.
Reisdorfer scored on a passed ball error by the catcher.
Serie drove in two runs on a fly ball to center field, scoring sophomore Amira Cowell and senior Kaysie Lenz.
Luverne took a 15-7 lead after the fifth inning and added one more run in the sixth. 
Junior Gracie Nath relieved Cowell in the first inning and pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing five hits and two runs and striking out 13 batters.
She also threw a total of 123 pitches in the game with 78 strikes. She faced 31 batters.
“We had a rough start to the Worthington game, but Gracie Nath came in and pitched well and we strung together some good at bats,” head coach Brooks Maurer said.
 “Behr and Serie were really good offensively. Tori with three doubles and Payton only a single away from hitting for the cycle.”
 
BOX Score
WRTH 5 0 1 1 0 0 0  7
LHS    0 2 1 4 8 1 x 16
 
BATTING
Luverne  AB R H RBI
Behr          5   3   3   5
Smidt        5   1   0   3
Olson        4   0   1   0
Reisdorfer 5   2   1   0
Cowell       5   2   1   0
Franken    2   0   0   0
Lenz         2   1   1 0
Serie         4   3   4   3
Boll           3   2   2   2
Kracht       3   2  1   0
2B: Serie 3, Behr, Kracht
3B: Behr
HR: Behr
Total bases: Behr 9, Serie 7, Kracht 2, Boll 2, Cowell, Lenz, Olson, Reisdoefer
SB: Cowell
 
PITCHING
Luverne IP  H  R  ER  SO
Cowell    .3   5   5   5   0
Nath     6.3   5   2   1   13
Pitches-Strikes: Cowell 7-6, Nath 123-78
Batters faced: Cowell 6, Nath 31
 
LHS 7, Edgerton 6
LHS took both games from Edgerton in the doubleheader on May 18.
The Cardinals won the first game after breaking a 6-6 tie in the bottom of the seventh inning. 
Serie reached first on an error, and designated batter Kianna Winter scored on the same play, winning the game 7-6.
Behr smacked her second home run for the year in the fifth inning on a fly ball to center field.
Senior Carly Olson collected her fourth home run of the season in the sixth inning, scoring base runners Kracht, Behr and Smidt.
Nath toed the rubber for LHS, surrendering six runs on seven hits, striking out five batters.
 
BOX Score
LHS    1 0 0 1 0 5 0  7
EDGR 0 0 0 0 2 4 0 6
 
BATTING
Luverne    AB R H RBI
Behr           4   2   2   1
Smidt         4   2   1   0
Olson         3   1  2   5
Reisdorfer  4   0  0   0
Cowell       4   0   0   0
Franken     2   0   0   0
Lenz          2   0   1   0
Serie          4   0   1   0
Boll            4   0   1   0
Kracht       2   1   0   0
Winter       -   -   -   -
2B: Olson
HR: Olson, Behr
Total  bases: Olson 6, Behr 5, Smidt, Lenz, Serie, Boll
SB: Smidt, Winter
 
PITCHING
Luverne IP  H R  ER  SO
Nath        7   7   6   1   5
Pitches-Strikes: Nath 108-73
Batters faced: Nath 32
 
LHS 9, Edgerton 6
The Cardinals took the second game May 18 from EHS 9-6, scoring three runs in the seventh inning.
Reisdorfer started the seventh inning grounding out while scoring Behr from third.
Smidt scored on a passed ball by the Edgerton catcher and Cowell drilled a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Olson.
In the second inning Smidt hit her first home run, driving the ball over the left field fence and scoring courtesy runner sophomore Regan Mehlhaff and Behr.
The Cardinals covered a total of 12 bases, Smidt with five, on seven hits in the game.
Behr stole two bases in the game with Cowell, Olson and Smidt adding one each.
Cowell started the game pitching three innings while surrendering five runs on five hits and one strikeout.
Nath pitched four innings allowing one run one hit and struck out one batter.
 
BOX Score
EDGR  1 0 4 0 1 0 0  6
LHS     2 3 0 1 0 3 x 9
 
BATTING
Luverne   AB R  H RBI
Behr            3   3   2   0
Smidt          2   3   2   3
Olson          2   2   1   1
Reisdorfer   4   0   1   0
Cowell        3   0   0   1
Serie           3   0   0   0
Boll             3   0   0   0
Lenz           2   0   1   0
Kracht        2   0   0   0
Winter         1  0   0   0
2B: Olson, Reisdorfer
HR: Smidt
Total bases: Smidt 5, Behr 2, Olson 2, Reisdorfer 2, Lenz
SB: Behr 2, Cowell, Olson, Smidt
 
PITCHING
Luverne IP  H  R  ER  SO
Cowell     3   5   5   5   1
Nath        4   1   1   0   3
Pitches-Strikes: Cowell 54-30, Nath 55-46
Batters faced: Cowell 16, Nath 15