Luverne native’s house torchedRandy Hoffman, a Luverne native and current resident of Brandon, S.D., was in northern Minnesota last week when he received a phone call telling him that there had been a fire at his home in Brandon.When Randy and his wife Joni returned, they found their five-year-old home severely damaged, possibly a total loss.A neighbor who was taking care of Hoffman’s dog thought something was suspicious when he noticed the dog running around outside in the middle of the night.Investigators believe the fire was started with a propellant in the basement.Investigators from Hoffman’s insurance company were scheduled to examine the home this week.Hills Phone Company now owned by Alliance CommunicationsAlthough they have been a part of the Hills Phone Company since 1996, Alliance Communications is now the sole owner of the phone service.In 1996, Alliance Communications, along with Golden West Communications, purchased the phone services in Alvord, Iowa; Hills; Inwood, Iowa; Larchwood, Iowa; Lester, Iowa; and Steen.The company will continue to have four technicians working the six communities.Other Alliance Communication properties include: Alcester, Baltic, Brandon, Carthage, Crooks, Garretson, Howard, Hudson, Oldham and Ramona, all in S.D.Alliance’s main office is located in Garretson, S.D., but also has offices in Baltic and Brandon.The company employs 22 office employees and 21 technicians, including four previously employed by the Hills Phone Company.Red Cross offers audio/visual messages to service membersDependents of members of the military will now be able to send their family members an audio/visual message electronically from the American Red Cross in Sioux Falls. The service is free of charge.According to Jeff Stingley, CEO of the Sioux Empire American Red Cross, they are one of 50 chapters in the United States to receive the equipment and technology making the service possible.The service is available for South Dakota as well as the surrounding states.If you would like to set up an appointment to create a video message, contact the Sioux Empire Red Cross at (605) 336-2448.The process to create the video message will take approximately 10-15 minutes.Dependents will need to bring an e-mail address the military member uses in order for the Red Cross to send the e-mail via the internet.Kids, get ready for the Triathlon Parade of AthletesThe 22nd annual Minnesota Border-to-Border has been scheduled for Monday, Aug. 5, but the parade of athletes will be on Aug 4.This is not only an opportunity to watch the athletes parade down Luverne’s Main Street on their bikes and other forms of transportation, but kids can also be a part of the action.Kids of all ages are encouraged to decorate their bikes for the parade and participate in the event.All kids participating in the parade will be given a Dairy Queen coupon.Anyone wishing to participate should meet at the Sears parking lot at 4:15 p.m.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com

Change is often good,but in Public Works,it’s a breath of fresh airCity budget cuts — particularly those involving Public Works Director Darrell Huiskes — have been popular conversation topics this week.What we’re hearing is that Huiskes is a hard-working, dedicated city employee who’s accomplished great things for the city.That’s true. He’s up early and works late whenever needed.Our streets are the best-maintained of any city in the state, and they’re the cleanest and driest in the winter time. We have a beautiful city with well-kept trees, grass, flower pots and pocket parks.Huiskes may have taken the initiative on all these things, but our taxpayers deserve the credit. These things all cost money, and it seems no expenses have ever been spared in Public Works on projects, manpower or equipment.We’ve also been hearing about what an effective leader Huiskes has been for the city and the public works department.For whatever it’s worth, I have a couple of thoughts on this: oRetirements are great opportunities for new leadership. The department has plenty of long-time capable workers, and I look forward to seeing a new, positive leadership emerge.oSecond, change can be painful, but it often results in better outcomes. There are many who believe there will be a silver lining to the cloud surrounding Huiskes’ departure. The general public won’t read about it in a council meeting story, and it won’t be reflected in any public meeting minutes, but it’s fair to say City Hall won’t miss the deceitful behavior and negative attitude that tend to surround our current public works director.In the case of city morale, change will be nothing short of a breath of fresh air.If you don’t break the law, you don’t need to worry about deputy tacticsI was thrilled Tuesday when Tom Harms’ letter to the editor landed on my desk. It was exactly the sort of balance I’ve been hoping to see on our Opinion Page for the past two weeks.After the first letter we received on this topic two weeks ago, I was sure it would prompt a letter from someone who appreciates effective law enforcement. Instead, we got another letter to the editor agreeing with the first one that law enforcement shouldn’t "harass" citizens.As an editor, I appreciate all letters from all viewpoints shared for publication, but as a citizen, I was bothered by the message developing on the page. It seemed to suggest officers shouldn’t work so hard to catch the bad guys.On the contrary, there are plenty of law-abiding citizens who want our deputies to do what it takes, within parameters of the law, to get the bad guys.It’s pretty clear why we have DWI laws and why it’s important to arrest violators. If it’s "harassment" to wait on a street near a bar to arrest drunk drivers, then it’s time to question the intent of the law.If we want to arrest drunk drivers, our deputies should do just like the one in question is doing — hang out where the violations are happening.To the ones breaking the law, this may feel like harassment; to everyone else, it’s simply effective policing.

Thielbar Addition hearing set for Aug. 5NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGNOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Luverne Planning Commission that a public hearing will be held in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 203 East Main Street, Luverne, Minnesota, at 5:00 p.m. on August 5, 2003. The purpose of the hearing will be to receive public comment regarding the application and filing of a preliminary plat by Bart and Paula Thielbar relating to Lot 1, Block 1, in what will be known as Thielbar Addition to the City of Luverne, described as follows: Beginning at the Northwest corner of Lot 1 in Block 1 Juhl’s Addition to the City of Luverne Minnesota; Thence North 00 Degrees 41 Minutes 33 Seconds East (Geodetic Bearing) a distance of 531.80 feet to an iron stake; Thence South 48 Degrees 39 Minutes 26 Seconds East a distance of 362.48 feet to an iron stake; Thence continuing South 48 Degrees 39 Minutes 26 Seconds East a distance of 61.57 feet to an iron stake; Thence South 28 Degrees 21 Minutes 21 Seconds West a distance of 242.39 feet to an iron stake; Thence along a tangential curve, concave to the East, having a radius of 70.00 feet, a central angle of 27 Degrees 58 Minutes 04 Seconds a distance of 34.17 feet to an iron stake; Thence South 00 Degrees 46 Minutes 26 Seconds West a distance of 3.04 feet to an iron stake on the Northwest corner of Lot 1 Block 1; Thence South 89 Degrees 21 Minutes 42 Seconds West along the North line of Juhl’s Addition a distance of 59.97 feet to an iron stake; Thence continuing South 89 Degrees 14 Minutes 27 Seconds West along said North line a distance of 141.28 feet to said Point of Beginning.The plat dedicates street, utility, and drainage rights-of-way for perpetual public use. Any and all persons desiring to be heard on this matter should be present at the hearing or present their comments in writing prior to the hearing at the Building Official/Zoning Administrator’s office. Anyone needing reasonable accommodations or an interpreter should contact the City Clerk’s office, 203 East Main, Luverne, MN. (507) 449-2388. By order of the Planning Commission.MARIANNE PERKINSCITY CLERK(7-24)

County Commissioners meet July 1Community Room 9:00 A.M.Rock County Family Services Agency July 1, 2003Chair Boyenga called the meeting to order with all Commissioners present. The Chair presented a brief budget overview reflecting the magnitude of the budget shortfall that Rock County will be faced with in 2004. Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Bakken, to approve the July 1, 2003 County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Bakken to approve the June 17, 2003 County Board of Equalization minutes and the June 17, 2003 regular County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote.Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Hoime, to approve the following consent agenda items, declared carried on a voice vote. 1. RSVP Joint Powers AgreementGloria Rolfs, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the claims for payment; motion by Wildung, seconded by Jarchow, to approve the claims with additions, declared carried on unanimous vote. A complete listing of claims is available at the Auditor/Treasurer’s Office. General $13,032.14LEC 1,514.12Road & Bridge 31,333.68Welfare 30,159.19Landfill 13,279.69TOTAL $89,318.82Motion by Wildung, seconded Jarchow, to approve per diems for Commissioners Jarchow, Hoime, and Boyenga totaling $645.00, declared carried on a voice vote.Mark Sehr, Engineer, presented the following bid results for Project SP67-599-62, Bridge 1090 on Beaver Creek Township Road 137: oMinnowa Construction $235,569.00 oDuininck Brothers $213,641.00Motion by Bakken, seconded Hoime, to award the bid to Duininck Brothers for $213,641.00, declared carried on a voice vote.The Engineer requested to advertise for the 2003 Box Culvert Projects to be conducted in Martin, Mound, Vienna, and Beaver Creek Townships with a bid opening date of August 18, 2003. Motion by Hoime, seconded by Bakken, to authorize the bid advertisement for the 2003 Box Culvert Projects, declared carried on a voice vote.The Engineer presented a construction update: Bike Path: paving will begin this week weather permitting CSAH 4: underlying materials have not been compacting as planned and they are required to mix in a hardening material into the underlying materials.The Engineer stated that the Presbyterian Church requested to use Schoneman Park for a short program/skit; the County Board held no objections to that request. Nancy Lange, FSA Social Services Supervisor, informed the County Board of a resignation of a Child Protection Social Worker effective August 1st and requested to re-fill that position; the position is funded from the FFP — Family Preservation Aide and Title XX. Motion by Hoime, seconded by Boyenga, to re-fill the Child Protection vacancy, declared carried on a voice vote.Don Klosterbuer, County Attorney, presented Resolution No. 28-03, a resolution Notifying the Public of Intent to Consider Adopting the Option of Making the Office of Rock County Recorder Appointive; motion by Jarchow, seconded by Wildung, to approve Resolution No. 28-03, declared carried on a voice vote. The Public Hearing is scheduled for July 22, 2003 at 9:00 A.M. in the Community Room at the Rock County Human Services Building. Dan Cook, Rock County Rural Water Manager and County Attorney Klosterbuer, presented a Lewis & Clark project update. Following the June 3rd planning session sponsored by Lewis & Clark, motion by Wildung, seconded by Bakken, to deny the Rock County Rural Water Board’s request to terminate the agreement with Lewis & Clark, declared carried on a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Boyenga voting nay. The County Board was informed that the MCIT Dividend would be $74,277.00 for Y2003.The Administrator presented assessing contracts for the Cities of Hills, Steen and Luverne; motion by Bakken, seconded by Hoime, to approve the assessing contracts, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Jarchow, to establish a committee to study building issues for the Law Enforcement Building, declared carried on a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Boyenga voting nay. The committee would include the following: City Administrator, County Administrator, Sheriff, (1) Deputy representative, Sergeant or Investigator, (1) Dispatch representative, (2) County Board representatives and (2) City Council representatives. With no further business come before the County Board, the meeting was declared adjourned.Ron Boyenga, Chairman of the BoardATTEST:Kyle J. Oldre, Clerk to the Board(7-24)

Bridge construction bids set for Aug. 18ROCK COUNTY, MNBRIDGE CONSTRUCTIONCLOSING DATE – AUGUST 15, 2003NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Bridge No 67J70 – SAP 67-599-073 (Martin Twp. 23 – Old Bridge L2217) Bridge No. 67J53 – SAP 67-599-121 (Mound Twp. 10 – Old Bridge L2197)Bridge No. 67J65 – SAP 67-599-127 (Vienna Twp. 62 – Old Bridge N/A)Bridge No. 67J66 – SAP 67-599-127 (Vienna Twp. 62 – Old Bridge N/A)Bridge No. 67J69 – SAP 67-599-128 (Martin Twp. 36 – Old Bridge L-2242)Bridge No. 67J71 – SAP 67-599-129 (Beaver Creek Twp. 52 – Old Bridge L2261)The Rock County Highway Department at Luverne, Minnesota will receive sealed proposals until 1:00 P.M. on Monday, August 18, 2003.Proposals will be opened and read publicly in the presence of the Rock County Highway Engineer at the Rock County Highway Building located at 1120 North Blue Mound Avenue in Luverne, Minnesota immediately following the hour set for receiving bids for the following Rock County Highway work. Bids will be awarded on Tuesday, August 19, 2003 at the regular Board of Commissioners Meeting. Bridge 67J70 – SAP 67-599-073: The major quantities of work are: 20 Lin. Ft. Remove Pipe Culvert; 1 Lump Sum Approach Grading; 38 Lin. Ft. of 14’X4’ PCST Conc. Box Culv.: 2 Each 14’X4’ PCST Conc. Box Culv. End Sections; 1 Lump Sum Remove Old Bridge; 331 Cu. Yd. of Granular Backfill (LV); 49 Cu. Yd. of Granular Bedding (LV); 35 Cu. Yd. Rock Bedding (LV); 38 Lin. Ft. 15" CS Pipe Culv.; 2 Each 15" GS Pipe Apron; 27 Cu. Yd. Random Riprap (Class 2); and 1 Lump Sum Traffic Control.Bridge 67J53 – SAP 67-599-121: The major quantities of work are: 128 Lin. Ft. Remove Pipe Culvert; 28 Lin Ft. of Salvage Metal Pipe Culv.; 5,524 Cu. Yd. of Common Excavation (P); 250 Cu. Yd. of Aggregate Surfacing (Class 1); 61 Cu. Yd. of Structural Concrete (Mix 3A32); 84 Lin. Ft. of 14’x6’ PCST Conc. Box Culv.; 6 Each 14’x6’ of PCST Conc. Box Culv. End Section; 1 Lump Sum of Remove Old Bridge; 266 Cu. Yd. of Granular Backfill (LV); 117 Cu. Yd. of Granular Bedding (LV); 89 Cu. Yd. of Rock Bedding; 94 Lin. Ft. of 18" CS Pipe Culv.; 38 Lin. Ft. of 24" CS Pipe Culv.; 6 Each of 18" GS Pipe Apron; 2 Each of 24" GS Pipe Apron; 60 Cu. Yd. of Random Riprap (Class 2); 1 Lump Sum of Traffic Control; 1 Lump Sum of Turf Establishment. Bridge 67J65 & 67J66 – SAP 67-599-127:The major quantities of work are: 1 Lump Sum of Clearing and Grubbing; 56 Lin. Ft. of Remove Pipe Culv.; 1 Each of Remove Conc. Box Culv.; 167 Lin. Ft. of Salvage Pipe Culv.; 1 Lump Sum of Approach Grading; 446 Cu. Yd. Aggregate Surfacing (Class 1); 34 Lin. Ft. of 10’x4’ PCST Conc. Box Culv.; 36 Lin. Ft. of 12’x4’ PCST Conc. Box Culv.; 2 Each of 10’x4’ PCST Conc. Box Culv. End Section.; 2 Each of 12’x4’ PCST Conc. Box Culv. End Section; 723 Cu. Yd. of Granular Backfill (LV); 51 Cu. Yd. of Granular Bedding (LV); 140 Cu. Yd. of Rock Bedding (LV); 32 Lin. Ft. of 18" CS Pipe Culv.; 2 Each of 18" GS Pipe Apron; 58 Cu. Yd. of Random Riprap (Class 2); 1 Lump Sum of Traffic Control; 1 Lump Sum of Turf Establishment. Bridge 67J69 – SAP 67-599-128: The major quantities of work are: 26 Lin. Ft. of Remove Pipe Culv.; 1 Lump Sum of Approach Grading; 68 Lin. Ft. of 8’x8’ PCST Conc. Box Culv.; 4 Each of 8’x8’ PCST Conc. Box Culv. End Sect.; 1 Lump Sum of Remove Old Bridge; 591 Cu. Yd. of Granular Backfill (LV); 56 Cu. Yd. of Granular Bedding (LV); 41 Cu. Yd. of Rock Bedding (LV); 26 Lin. Ft. of 15" CS Pipe Culv.; 2 Each of 15" GS Pipe Apron; 1 Each of Adjust Tile Outlet; 60 Cu. Yd. of Random Riprap (Class 2); 1 Lump Sum of Traffic Control. Bridge 67J71 – SAP 67-599-129: The major quantities of work are: 1 Lump Sum of Approach Grading; 60 Lin. Ft. of 12’x6’ PCST Conc. Box Culv.; 4 Each of 12’x6’ PCST Conc. Box Culv. End Sect.; 1 Lump Sum of Remove Old Bridge; 503 Cu. Yd. of Granular Backfill (LV); 73 Cu. Yd. of Granular Bedding (LV); 55 Cu. Yd. of Rock Bedding; 46 Cu. Yd. of Random Riprap (Class 2); l Lump Sum of Traffic Control. Plans, specifications and proposals may be examined and obtained at the office of the Rock County Highway Engineer, 1120 North Blue Mound Avenue, P.O. Box 808, Luverne, MN 56156-0808.The non-refundable cost for plans and one Proposal will be $25.00.Bids must be accompanied by a certified check or corporate surety bond drawn in favor of the Rock County Treasurer in the amount of at least five-percent (%) of the proposal. Sealed bids shall be clearly marked "PROJECT NO. SAP 67-599-073 ECT."The Board of Rock County Commissioners reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive any defects therein. Rock County is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Mark R. Sehr, P.E.Rock County Highway Engineer(7-24, 7-31, 8-7)

By John RittenhouseThe Luverne Redbirds bounced back from a playoff-opening loss to Hills July 16 by posting a 7-2 win over Pipestone during a loser’s bracket game of the Gopher League event Sunday in Luverne.The Redbirds struck for five runs in the first inning and went on to win by five to stay alive in the double-elimination event.Luverne, 14-9 overall, earned a rematch against Hills with the victory. The two teams squared off in an elimination game played at Redbird Field Wednesday night. The winner of the game will play Hadley or Wilmont Friday.The Redbirds were never seriously challenged after scoring five runs in the home half of the first against Pipestone.Mike Wenninger delivered a two-run single to open the scoring and Luke Iveland doubled home a pair of runs to highlight the inning. Jesse Reisch received an RBI when he drew a bases-loaded walk.The score was 7-0 when Brian Weber singled home a run and Billy Schneider scored on a wild pitch in the fifth inning.Pipestone plated single runs in the sixth and eighth innings, but the A’s were unable to come back on the Redbirds.Jon Jarchow pitched the first three innings for the Redbirds, blanking the A’s without allowing a hit. Jarchow fanned six batters.Terry Eernisse pitched six innings of relief to pick up the win. He allowed two runs (one was earned) and five hits while recording five strikeouts.Box score AB R H BIOhme 4 0 0 0Fisher 1 0 0 0Edstrom 4 0 1 0J.Sehr 4 1 1 0Wenninger 5 1 4 2M.Sehr 3 1 2 0Schneider 0 1 0 0Weber 5 1 3 1Jarchow 0 0 0 0Sandbulte 5 1 1 0Reisch 2 0 1 1Iveland 3 0 1 2

By John RittenhouseThe Hills Thunder opened the 2003 Gopher League Playoffs by shocking the Luverne Redbirds Wednesday, July 16, in Luverne.Hills had never beaten Luverne since joining the amateur baseball ranks in the late 1990s, but that changed at Redbird Field last week.Chad Rauk tossed nine strong innings on the mound and Eric and Scott Harnack and Matt Funke drove in three runs each to lead the Thunder to a 13-4 victory.Hills assumed control of the game by scoring two runs in the first and second innings to open a 4-0 lead.Jarud Lang opened the game with a double and scored the first run when Eric Harnack singled. Harnack scored on a sacrifice fly by Funke to make it 2-0.Cade Lang and Scott Harnack singled before scoring on a two-run double by Eric Harnack in the second as Hills doubled its lead to 4-0.Luverne cut the lead in half (4-2) when Brian Weber reached base, Micky Sehr singled before both runners scored in the bottom of the second, but Hills put the game away by scoring three runs in the fourth inning and four in the fifth to gain an 11-2 cushion.Scott Harnack doubled home a pair of runs and Eric Harnack singled home another during a three-run fourth inning.Cade Lang doubled home one run, Funke received an RBI for a fielder’s choice, Eric Harnack reached base on an error and scored and Scott Harnack walked and scored on a wild pitch in the fifth.Luverne scored single runs in the seventh and ninth innings, while Hills countered with single runs in the eighth and ninth frames.Wade Jellema received an RBI for a fielder’s choice in the eighth and Funke singled home a run in the ninth for Hills. Mike Wenninger scored on an error in the seventh and Ben Winkels singled home a run in the ninth for Luverne.Rauk limited the Redbirds to five hits and five walks while striking out five batters during his nine-inning stint on the mound.Derek Ohme took the loss for Luverne, allowing seven earned runs and nine hits in three and one-third innings.Terry Eernisse worked the next four and two-thirds innings, allowing five runs (one was earned) and seven hits. Isaac Schmidt pitched one inning of one-run, one-hit ball.Hills box score AB R H BIJ.Lang 5 2 2 0E.Harnack 4 2 3 3S.Harnack 4 4 2 3Sammons 3 0 1 0Top 0 0 0 0Funke 5 1 1 3Van Maanen 5 0 1 0Jellema 4 0 1 1C.Lang 5 3 3 1Rauk 5 0 2 0Forshey 0 0 0 0C.Harnack 0 0 0 0Krenz 0 0 0 0Luverne box score AB R H BIOhme 4 0 1 0Edstrom 5 0 0 0Wenninger 3 1 0 0Shelton 1 0 0 0Weber 3 1 0 0Iveland 1 1 1 0M.Sehr 3 1 1 0Jarchow 1 0 0 0Winkels 4 0 1 1Reisch 4 0 0 0Sandublte 2 0 0 0Fisher 2 0 0 0Eernisse 2 0 1 0Schmidt 0 0 0 0

By John RittenhouseA former Luverne resident emerged as a double winner during Friday’s races at Rapid Speedway.Anthony Mann, who now lives in Brandon, took two checkered flags at the track in Rock Rapids, Iowa.Mann won the second heat race before taking the A feature title during the top performance produced by local drivers at the track.Steen’s Billy Cowell came up with the top performance by area drivers in the hobby stock class after winning the first heat race and placing fourth in the feature event at Rapid Speedway.Kanaranzi’s Colter Deutsch (fourth in the first heat and ninth in the feature), Luverne’s Mike Buss (fifth in first heat and eighth in the feature), Magnolia’s Josh Klay (third in the second heat and 13th in the feature) and Magnolia’s Larry Kracht (fourth in the second heat and 12th in the feature) also raced in the hobby stock class Friday.Former Ash Creek resident David Kruger set the pace for local talent in the late model street stock class by placing second in the second heat and second in the feature at Rapid Speedway.Ellsworth’s Scott Overgaard (second in the first heat and third in the feature), Luverne’s Chad Overgaard (sixth in the first heat and eighth in the feature), Adrian’s Mark DeBeor (fifth in the first heat and third in the feature) and former Hills resident Darrin Korthals (fourth in second heat and sixth in the feature) also raced in the street stock division.Luverne’s Brandon Buysse placed seventh in the third heat and 16th in the feature in the 360 sprints at the Iowa track.Kruger and Cowell won heat races to provide the highlights by local drivers during Sunday’s races at Huset’s Speedway, near Brandon, S.D.Kruger won the first heat race in the street stock class before placing fifth in the feature event. Chad Overgaard placed fourth in the second heat and fourth in the street stock feature.Cowell won the first heat in the hobby stock class before placing 14th in the feature.Deutsch (second in second heat and second in the feature), Buss (fifth in the second heat and 12th in the feature) and Klay (fifth in the third heat and 16th in the feature) also competed in the hobby stock class at Huset’s.DeBoer placed second in street stock features at Lake County Speedway in Madison, S.D., Saturday and at Worthington Speedway Sunday.Luverne’s Brett DeJager placed fourth in the modified feature at Worthington Speedway.

Luverne VFW catcher Ben Nath attempts to throw out a stealing Worthington runner during Thursday’s South Third District Playoff game in Worthington. Losses to Worthington and Edgerton ended Luverne’s 12-16 season.By John RittenhouseBack-to-back losses in Worthington eliminated Luverne from the South Third District VFW Baseball Playoffs late last week.The Cardinals lost a five-run decision to Worthington during a winner’s bracket game Thursday. A one-run setback to Edgerton ousted the Cardinals from the double-elimination event.Luverne ends the season with a 12-16 record.Edgerton 3, Luverne 2Luverne was unable to extend its season during an elimination game against Edgerton in Worthington Saturday.The Cardinals sported a pair of one-run leads at times in the game, but Edgerton scored a pair of earned runs while edging Luverne by one run at game’s end.Luverne got off to a good start by scoring one run in the top of the first inning.Derek Johnson reached base on an error in the outfield and gave the Cards an early cushion when he scored on Kelsey Petersen’s RBI double.Edgerton tied the game at one with a run in the bottom of the third, but the Cardinals regained the lead at 2-1 in the top of the fourth.Nathan Boler and Brian Deutsch drew walks to get things rolling in the fourth. Dustin Richters slapped an RBI single to plate Boler.Edgerton battled back to tie the game at two in the bottom of the fourth before producing what proved to be the game-winning run in the fifth inning.Wyatt Cote went the distance on the mound and took the loss. He allowed four hits and one earned run.Petersen led Luverne with two hits.Box score AB R H BIJohnson 4 1 0 0Petersen 3 0 2 1Pick 3 0 0 0Cote 3 0 0 0Nath 3 0 1 0Boler 2 1 0 0Deutsch 2 0 0 0Richters 3 0 1 1Lundgren 3 0 0 0Worthington 9,Luverne 4The Cardinals were knocked into the loser’s bracket of the double-elimination tournament when they dropped a five-run decision in Worthington Thursday.Luverne received an outstanding offensive performance from Derek Johnson, but No. 1-seeded Worthington simply had too many weapons for the Cardinals to deal with.Johnson had three doubles and one single and scored three runs in the game to help the Cardinals take a 1-0 lead in the top of the first.Johnson led the game off with his first of three consecutive doubles. After advancing to third on a ground out to first base by Kelsey Petersen, Johnson scored on a wild pitch.Worthington answered the challenge by scoring three runs in the bottom of the first to gain a two-run lead it would never relinquish.Johnson doubled, moved to second on a ground out by Petersen and scored when Jared Pick grounded out to make it a 3-2 game in the top of the third, but Worthington countered with two-run rallies in the third, fourth and fifth innings to take a commanding 9-2 advantage.Luverne scored single runs in the sixth and seventh innings to make it a five-run difference at game’s end.Pick walked, Wyatt Cote reached base on an error and Tom Ward walked to load the sacks for Luverne in the sixth. Pick scored when Brett Lundgren bounced out.Johnson singled, Petersen reached base on an error and Pick walked to load the sacks again in the seventh. Cote grounded out to plate Johnson with the game’s final run.Pick pitched all six innings and took the loss. He surrendered nine hits and five walks while striking out three batters.Box score AB R H BIJohnson 4 3 4 0Petersen 4 0 0 0Pick 2 1 0 1Cote 4 0 1 1Deutsch 1 0 0 0Ward 3 0 0 0Lundgren 3 0 0 1Richters 3 0 0 0Boler 2 0 0 0