The senior legion baseball playoffs are in full swing across southwest Minnesota, drawing attention from small towns and dedicated fans alike.
Luverne’s 18U squad opened the tournament with a 5-3 victory over Mankato Loyola, a win anchored by a two-run single from Carter Sehr in the first inning and a strong outing from Josh Hansen, who struck out seven batters.
A subsequent 6-5 loss to Springfield dropped them into the elimination bracket, but the team rallied, setting up a rematch with Slayton.
Slayton, after an opening defeat, fought back with an 8-1 triumph over Windom, capitalizing on six errors and nine walks, while Dugan Kluis and Danny Larson contributed two hits each.
A Seventh-Inning Turnaround
The pivotal game saw Luverne trail 5-1 entering the seventh inning before a dramatic turnaround; Sehr delivered a grand slam to tie the contest, and Maddux Domagala followed with a walk that secured the win.
Maddox Miller earned the victory with two shutout innings, while Tristan Behrends pitched six frames for Slayton, recording two strikeouts and allowing five earned runs.
With the series now headed toward a clash against St. James — who advanced after a prior loss to Sleepy Eye — Luverne looks to carry the momentum into the next round.
The performances underscore the competitive spirit of the region’s youth baseball programs and highlight standout players such as Carter Sehr, Blake Sauer, Jaxon Lais, and Skyler Jackson.