The Luverne Redbirds split a pair of games this past week to bring their overall record to 15-5.
The Redbirds opened the week with a 5-2 victory over the Windom Pirates Wednesday, June 30.
Luverne then dropped a hard-fought extra innings affair to Brookings 6-5 on Thursday, July 1.
The Redbirds will be back on the diamond Wednesday, July 7, when they welcome Pipestone to Redbird Field. The Redbirds defeated the A’s earlier this season 5-2.
 
Luverne 5, Windom 2
The Pirates got the scoring starting with one run in the top of the first inning to take an early 1-0 lead.
That lead was short-lived, as the Redbirds answered back with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning to take a 2-1 lead.
The Redbirds added one more run in the bottom of the third to push their lead to 3-1.
In the bottom of the fourth the Redbirds scored one run to make it a 4-1 ballgame.
Windom got one run back in the top of the fifth to make it a 4-2 ballgame. The Redbirds got that run back in the bottom half of the inning to make it a 5-2 game.
Jake Haugen picked up the win for the Redbirds. Haugen pitched the complete game and recorded nine strikeouts.
Newt Johnson and Codie Zeutenhorst both collected two hits for the Redbirds.
 
Windom 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Luverne 2 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 x
 
Hitting: Paquette 1-4; Johnson 2-4; S. Wenninger 1-3; Zeutenhorst 2-3; Lundgren 1-3
Doubles: Lundgren
RBI: Johnson; Zeutenhorst 2; Haugen
 
Brookings 6, Luverne 5
The Redbirds scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning to force extra innings in Brookings Thursday, July 1.
Unfortunately for the Luverne, the momentum they picked up from the ninth inning rally couldn’t carry them to victory, as they fell to Brookings 6-5 in 10 innings.
The Redbirds got on the board first with one run in the top of the first inning.
The bats for Brookings came alive in the bottom of the fifth inning as they scored four runs to claim a 4-1 lead.
Brookings added one more run in the bottom of the sixth to push their lead to 5-1.
The Redbirds were able to get back one run in the top of the seventh to trim the lead to 5-2.
In the top of the ninth, the Redbirds mounted a rally to tie the game at 5-5 and force extra innings after Brookings was unable to score the winning run in the bottom half of the ninth inning.
After failing to score a run in the top 0f the 10th, Luverne gave up the game-winning run in the bottom half of the inning.
Phil Paquette led the Redbirds with four hits, including a double.
Ben Serie drove in a team-leading three runs.
 
Luverne 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 0
Brookings 0 0 0 0 4 1 0 0 0 1
 
Hitting: Lundgren 1-5; Paquette 4-5; Johnson 1-4; S. Wenninger 3-4; Serie 2-3; Haugen 1-4; Crabtree 2-5; Bartels 1-5
Doubles: Paquette
Triples: Serie
RBI: S. Wenninger; Serie 3

The Luverne Junior Legion team dropped a pair of games this past week to bring its overall senior record to 12-5.
The Junior Legion team opened the week with a 5-1 loss to New Ulm in Luverne on June 29 and then lost an away game to Pipestone 7-3 on Thursday, July 1.
 
New Ulm 5, Luverne 1
Luverne could only muster one run during its home contest against New Ulm on Tuesday, June 29. With the bats silenced, Luverne fell to New Ulm 5-1.
New Ulm got on the board with a three-run third inning.
Luverne scored one run in the bottom of the sixth inning to make it a 3-1 ballgame.
New Ulm added two insurance runs in the top of the seventh to make the final score 5-1.
 
Pipestone 7, Luverne 3
Luverne fell to Pipestone 7-3 on Thursday, July 1.
Pipestone scored one run in the third and one run in the fourth to build a 2-0 lead.
Luverne got on the board by scoring one run in the top of the fifth inning to trim Pipestone’s lead to 2-1.
Pipestone answered back by scoring a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning to push their lead to 4-1.
Luverne trimmed Pipestone’s lead to one by scoring two runs in the top of the sixth inning.
Just like in the fifth inning, Pipestone answered back by scoring three runs to push their lead to 7-3.
Connor Connell recorded nine strikeouts on the mound for Luverne. Connell is coming off an all-conference season for the Cardinals and has carried that momentum over into legion ball.
“He’s just carried into this summer,” Luverne coach Jared Pick said. “He’s pitching kind of how we expect him to. He’s pitching well for us.”
Luverne players will be back in action on Thursday when they welcome Adrian to Redbird Field.

The sixth annual Davis Lake Triathlon was held in Luverne Sunday, July 4.
A total of six teams competed in the team portion of the Shark Race, which entailed kayaking for 0.5 miles, a 2.5 mile run and a seven mile bike ride.
The team of Jenna DeBates, Sarah DeBeer and Dave Duffy took home first place with a time of 50 minutes and 18 seconds.
The trio of Amanda McDonald, Dave McDonald and Camden Janiszeski placed second with a time of 52:30.
Amanda Adams, Jon Adams and Ameillia Lyon placed third with a time of 54:52.
Trent Selle and Klint Kubiak finished fourth with a time of 54:59.
The Trio of Reid Hulen, Dave Hulen and Jamison Hulen finished fifth with a time of 55:57.
The team of Carson David, Tom Brown and Nathan Rust placed sixth (time not listed).
In the 10 and under division, Emmett Woodley placed first with a time of 1:42.29.
In the 10 to 18 division, Mason Hamm finished first with a time of 1:00.03. Hannah Woodley finished second with a time of 1:04.39.
In the 30 to 50 division, Jason Ratliff finished with a time of 1:01:04. Nicole Woodley finished second with a time of 1:42.35.
In the 60 and over division, it was Greg Haburn placing first with a time of 1:34.31.
In the minnow race, which included kayaking for 0.3 miles, a two mile bike ride and a one mile run, Aniyah Rivas placed first in the 10 and under division with a time of 34:34.
Felicity Woodley placed second with a time of 36:38.
In the 11 and older division, it was Jaxon Pick taking home first place with a time of 29:19.
Michael Ykema placed second with a time of 32:40.

The Luverne American Legion baseball team picked up an 11-3 victory over Pipestone Thursday, July 1, in Pipestone.
Luverne collected 11 hits and drew seven walks to put constant pressure on Pipestone’s starting pitcher and defense.
“We faced a hard throwing left-handed pitcher,” Luverne coach Codie Zeutenhorst said.
“We were able to put a lot of balls in play and took advantage of walks and wild pitches to put pressure on them.”
Luverne got the scoring starting in the opening frame by scoring a pair of runs.
Pipestone got one run back in the bottom half of the inning to make it a 2-1 ball game after the opening inning.
Luverne added one more run in the top of the second inning to push their lead to 3-1.
In the top of the fourth inning with Luverne leading 3-1, the visiting team added one more run to make it a 4-1 ballgame.
Pipestone added a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth to trim Luverne’s lead to 4-3.
Luverne answered back by scoring three runs in the top of the sixth inning to push their lead back to 7-3.
In the top of the seventh inning, Luverne scored four insurance runs to make the final score 11-3.
Cade Wenninger picked up the win on the mound for Luverne. The left-handed starting pitcher pitched 5 1/3 innings and recorded six strikeouts.
Casey Sehr pitched 1 2/3 innings of relief and recorded four strikeouts.
Bailey Cowell, Wenninger and Trevor Halverson all recorded two hits for Luverne.
Luverne will play their final two regular season games this week before the playoffs start July 15.
Luverne will first welcome Adrian to Redbird Field Thursday, July 8, and then wrap up the week Friday, July 9, when they head to Madison to end the regular season.

LUVERNE BASEBALL 2021
 
Redbirds
May 2       Lakefield                       13-1    W
May 9       Milroy Irish            10-4      L              
May 19     Tracy                     10-0    W 

May 21     Pipestone              5-2      W
May 23     Ruthton                 8-6      W
May 23     Mountain Lake       9-0      W 
May 28     Marshall                 8-2        L               
June 2     Jackson                  6-5      W
June 9     Worthington           15-4    W
June 12   Blaine                      3-1       L
June 12   Mayer                      6-5       L
June 16   Brandon Valley      6-5      W
June 20   Adrian                     11-2    W
June 20   Adrian                    5-0      W
June 23   Hadley                           9-3      W
June 27   Tracy                      15-4    W
June 27   Ruthton                   2-1      W
June 30   Windom                  5-2      W
July 1      Brookings               6-5      L
July 7      Pipestone (Home)    7:30pm
July 11    at Heron Lake           2:00pm
July 11    at Fox Lake (in HL)  5:00pm  
July 14    at Milroy
July 18    Fairmont (Home)     2:00pm
July 21    Playoffs begin             
 
American Legion
June 19    Worthington          6-5       L
June 19    Marshall                 7-5      W
June 20    Albany                   6-5      W
June 21    RTR                        3-2      W
June 24    Minneota                3-1      W
July 1       Pipestone              11-3    W
July 8       Adrian                      7:30pm
July 9       at Madison              7:00pm
July 15     Playoffs begin
 
 
Junior Legion
June 4     St James              11-3       L
June 5     St Peter                5-4        W
June 6     Worthington        18-0      W   
June 7     Minneota             8-4        W
June 10   Worthington        18-0      W
June 10   Worthington        16-5      W  
June 14   Marshall Black     15-5       L
June 15   Lamberton           5-0        W
June 15   Lamberton           4-1        W
June 17   Marshall Orange  3-2        W
June 21   Slayton                 9-7        W
June 25   Hutchinson          15-0      W
June 25   Excelsior              3-2        W
June 26   Omaha Gross      11-2       L
June 28   Tracy                    11-7      W
June 29   New Ulm Gold     5-1         L
July 1      Pipestone             7-3         L
July 8      Adrian                        7:30pm
July 18    Playoffs begin
 
*All Schedules subject to change

Two area dirt tracks staged races over the July 4 weekend.
Local drivers raced at Murray County Speedway in Slayton Friday and I-90 Speedway near Hartford, South Dakota, Saturday.  
 
Murray County Speedway
Trevor Fluit of Kenneth led Rock County drivers in Slayton Friday by placing fourth in the MCRA Bomber class.
Dylan Fitzpatrick of Magnolia finished fifth in the Hobby Stocks class.
 Luverne’s Jeremy Smith placed seventh in the IMCA Modified A Feature race.  
 
I-90 Speedway
Fitzpatrick led three local drivers competing in the Hobby Stocks class in Hartford Saturday.
Fitzpatrick placed second in the B Feature race.
Thomas Kracht and Cadyn Wessels, both of Luverne, finished fourth and eighth, respectively, in the same race.
Dalton Domagala, Luverne, raced in the IMCA Racesaver Spring Car class at I-90 Speedway.
Domagala finished in fifth place in the B Feature race and sixteenth in the A Feature.
Below are the place finishes of Rock County racers last weekend.
 
Murray County Speedway – July 2
 
Modifieds A Feature  
J. Smith                Luverne              7
 
USRA Hobby Stocks A Feature
D. Fitzpatrick       Magnolia             5
 
MCRA Bombers A Feature
Trevor Fluit          Kenneth            4               
                                               
I-90 Speedway – July 3
 
IMCA Racesaver Sprints A FeatureD. Domagala         Luverne           16
 
IMCA Racesaver Sprints B FeatureD. Domagala         Luverne          5
 
IMCA Hobby Stocks A FeatureD. Fitzpatrick        Magnolia          17
 
IMCA Hobby Stocks B Feature
D. Fitzpatrick       Magnolia          2
T. Kracht              Luverne            4
C. Wessels           Luverne            8

On the Fourth of July we celebrate Independence Day, the birth of our nation —“the land of the free and the home of the brave!” For many Americans, the Fourth of July provides an opportunity to watch parades and fireworks, hear “The The Star Spangled Banner,” and enjoy grilling out and spending fun times with friends and family.
While it’s great to enjoy these wonderful traditions, it is also important to remember the reason behind why we celebrate this holiday.
Samuel Adams, one of our founding fathers and an important leader of the American Revolution, was bold in proclaiming his faith. To Adams and many others, signing the Declaration of Independence meant no longer submitting to Great Britain, but rather, submitting to God. As a result, America would be free from the power of secular tyranny and able to serve Christ and share the Gospel in true freedom. This is an amazing day in history!
Independence Day is certainly a fitting time to thank our gracious God for the many blessings he has showered upon our nation, our state, our community, and us as individuals.  James 1:17 reminds us, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights …”
Think of some of the earthly blessings God has given you: plenty of food to eat, clothes to wear, a home to live in, Christian parents and grandparents, children and grandchildren who know and love the Lord, a job and means of making a living, our abundant possessions, fair leaders, good government, good weather, peace, honor, true friends, good neighbors, health, and recovery from a pandemic (items included in the fourth petition of the Lord’s Prayer).
Ponder also the great spiritual blessings God has shared with you: Faith in Jesus created in our heart by the Holy Spirit working through the Word and waters of Baptism. Forgiveness of sins and deliverance from slavery to sin, death, and the devil. Peace with God during this earthly life and the ability to live in harmony with our neighbors and friends. Strength to fight temptations and endure trials. Eternal life with believers in paradise in the presence of our loving Savior — a life free from sin, suffering and sadness.
Yes, American liberty truly is a blessing from God. Because of our freedom, you and I can freely express our faith in Jesus Christ and boldly share the life-saving Gospel with others.
On the Fourth of July we also take time to remember the service and sacrifice of those who fought and died to establish our nation and to protect the freedoms that God has bestowed. John 15:13 tells us: “No one has greater love than this: that someone lays down his life for his friends.”
Thank God that there are men and women in the past and present who were and are willing to sacrifice everything so that we can live free. Because of their sacrifice we can enjoy the freedom to worship the true God and our Savior Jesus. Because of their service we can fearlessly proclaim the great sacrifice that God made when he gave us his Son. That he gave Jesus over to death for us so that through him our sins are forgiven, we have peace with God, and everlasting life in heaven is
ours. Because of Jesus we are free of Satan’s tyranny, free of the guilt of sin, free even of death.
Please don’t take this liberty for granted. Practice your religion and pray for our nation, our leaders, and our servicemen/women. Pray that peace and harmony may prevail. Gather together with fellow Christians and hear God’s word. Hear him proclaim to you that in Jesus your sins are forgiven. Use that freedom also to tell others of Christ’s amazing life
and his blessings so that they too can enjoy this ultimate freedom.
 
Adapted from:  Good News for You! 2020 Peace Devotions

St. Catherine Catholic Church
203 E. Brown St., Luverne
St. Catherine Ph. 283-8502; www.stscl.org
Monsignor Gerald Kosse, Pastor
Sundays 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
Roger Sparks, Pastor
Sundays 9:30 a.m. Worship service. 6:30 p.m. Evening worship service. We are streaming Sunday services live on Roger Sparks’ Facebook page 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
1033 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
Ann Zastrow, Pastor
Dave Christenson, Interim Pastor
Thursday, July 8: 8:30 a.m. Missions in Action. 6 p.m. Executive meeting. Saturday, July 10: 5:30 p.m. Worship service. Sunday, July 11: 9 a.m. Worship service. 10 a.m. Fellowship coffee and treats. Tuesday, July 13: 9 a.m. Staff meeting. 6:45 p.m. Ministry meeting. 8 p.m. PPC meeting. 9 p.m. Executive meeting. Wednesday, July 14: 7 a.m. Men’s Bible study. 7:30 a.m. Mom’s Bible study at Wildflowers. 5:30 p.m. Gather with Grace! event at Luverne City Park. Thursday, July 15: 8:30 a.m. Missions in Action. Online, TV and Radio Worship options are available. Online: Sundays 9 a.m. on the church website www.graceluverne.org, click Worship tab or go directly to our Facebook page at Grace Lutheran ELCA, Luverne. TV: Vast Channel 3 will air our worship service Mondays at 4:30 p.m. and Fridays at 10 a.m. Radio: KQAD-AM Radio will air our worship service on Sundays at 8:15 a.m.
 
Bethany Lutheran Church
720 N. Kniss Ave., Luverne
Ph. 507-283-4571 or 605-215-9834
pastorapalmquist67@yahoo.com
Andrew Palmquist, Pastor
Sundays, 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. 283-8600; email: office@arcluverne.org
Mike Altena, Pastor
Friday, July 9: 6:30 a.m. Community Men’s Bible study. Sunday, July 11: 9:30 a.m. Worship service. Services 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 (formerly First Assembly of God)
1075 110th Ave., 2 miles west of Luverne on County Rd. 4
Ph. 612-800-1255; email info@rockrivercommunity.church
Bob Junak, Pastor; Annette Junak, Assistant Pastor
Sundays, 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10 a.m. Worship service. Children’s church for ages 3-6th grade and nursery for ages 0-3 provided during our services. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. Worship service. All services are in-person and all are welcome.
 
United Methodist Church
109 N. Freeman Ave., Luverne
Ph. 283-4529; email: luverneumc@iw.net
Saturday, July 10: 8 p.m. AA meeting. Sunday, July 11: 9:30 a.m. Adult Sunday school. 10:30 a.m. Worship service with Holy Communion and live streamed on Facebook and radio. Prayer Warriors after service. 4:30 p.m. Genesis to Revelation Bible study. Monday, July 12: 8 p.m. AA meeting. Wednesday, July 14: 6:30 p.m. Rocky Railway FUEL Fun Nigh. 8 p.m. AA meeting.
 
First Presbyterian Church
302 Central Lane, Luverne
Ph. 283-4787; email: Firstpc@iw.net— www.fpcluverne.com
Jason Cunningham, Pastor
Sunday, July 11: 9:30 a.m. Worship service. In-person Worship service and live on Facebook. Our Facebook page can be found under First Presbyterian Church of Luverne. We are also on the local Luverne cable station at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and 10 a.m. on Thursdays. Wednesday, July 14: No circles.
 
St. John Lutheran Church
803 N. Cedar St., Luverne
Ph. 283-2316; email: stjohn@iw.net
www.stjohnlutheranluverne.org
Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, Pastor
Saturday, July 10: 5:30 p.m. Worship. Sunday, July 11: 9 a.m. Worship service. 10:15 a.m. Sunday school and Adult Bible study. 7 p.m. Online Bible study. Worship service is 75 people. Services will be available on the Vast channel 3 Sunday and online at the city website, cityofluverne.org.
 
Living Rock Church
500 E. Main St., Luverne
Ph. 449-0057; www.livingrockswmn.org
Billy Skaggs, Pastor
 
New Life Celebration Church
101 W. Maple, Luverne
Ph. 449-6522; email: newlifecelebration@gmail.com
Food mission every third Thursday.
 
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
305 E. 2nd St., P.O. Box 36, Hardwick
Ph. (507) 669-2855; zionoffice@alliancecom.net
Jesse Baker, Pastor
 
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
Mark Eliason, Pastor
Sunday, July 11: 10 a.m. Community worship at ballpark in Valley Springs. Masks are no longer required if fully vaccinated. Worship will be streamed live on Facebook Video worship via YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHdQwVxFcU4
 
Palisade Lutheran Church
211 121st St., Garretson, S.D.
Ph. (507) 597-6257 — firstpalisade@alliancecom.net
Mark Eliason, Pastor
Sunday, July 11: 10 a.m. Community worship at ballpark in Valley Springs. Masks are no longer required if fully vaccinated. Worship will be streamed live on Facebook. Video worship via YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHdQwVxFcU4
 
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
Sunday, 9 a.m., 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
Sunday, 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
Nita Parker, Pastor
Sunday, July 11: 9 a.m. Worship at Tuff Home. 9:30 a.m. Youth time. 10 a.m. Worship service at Bethlehem with Holy Communion and instillation service. VBS July 11-15. Worship will be streamed live to Facebook at Bethlehem of Hills. You can find more info on our website blchills.org. Tuesday, July 13: 2 p.m. Tuff Home Bible study. 3:15 p.m. Tuff Village Bible study. Wednesday, July 14: 9 a.m. Quilting.
 
Hills United Reformed Church
410 S. Central Ave., Hills
Office Ph. 962-3254
hillsurc@alliancecom.net
Alan Camarigg, Pastor

Neva Clausen is often frustrated by the tall lilies that have taken root on the east side of her garage, reaching as tall as she is, 5 feet tall. She said at times the perennials seem to have minds of their own as they voluntarily pop up in her flower garden, in a variety of colors she didn’t plant as bulbs. “The good Lord deserves credit for those. I didn’t do anything special,” Clausen said.