Luverne defeats Greenville twice

Those awesome boys that comprise the Luverne Dixie Youth All-Stars have done it again - just one month after beginning to practice together they're headed to Boaz and the State Championship.

The Luverne All-Stars captured the Dixie Youth District 9 Championship in Geneva on Monday night, when they defeated the Greenville All-Stars, with an 11-7 score. Greenville entered the District Tournament as the Sub-District 3 Champions, while Luverne was the Sub-District 3 runner-up.

Cory Hale and Hunner Moody were the pitchers in the final game of the double-elimination tournament.

Seth Wood and Chase Hall each hit two-run homers in the final game.

It was in the top of the seventh inning that the game turned around to suit Luverne, and the boys in red kept it that way.

Nick Kilpatrick had the game-winning RBI triple in the seventh inning, which was a huge hit, and caused Luverne to take the lead over Greenville, 8-7.

Cody Moses then drove in Kilpatrick with an RBI single, followed by Chase Hall who came up to hit a two-run homer to give the Luverne team the final score of 11-7.

In the bottom of the final inning, Hunner Moody struck out the first two batters, and with a count of no balls and one strike, the third and final batter fouled the ball up into the air, and Catcher Tate Welch caught the ball to end the game, giving Luverne's Dixie Youth All-Stars the title of Dixie Youth District 9 Champions.

The teams Luverne defeated in the Geneva tournament included Geneva, Troy National, Slocomb and Greenville twice. The Luverne All-Stars were only defeated once during the entire tournament, sustaining the loss to Slocomb early in the series.

The trip to Boaz to compete against 11 other teams - more than 1,000 ball players in all - will begin with the game this Saturday evening at 4 p.m., when Luverne will face Dixie Youth District 2 Champion Oxford.

Luverne Parks and Recreation Director Doug Brown said he is extremely proud of this team.

"The boys on this team began practicing together only one month ago, and there has been a real meshing that has taken place between them," Brown said. "They don't have a losing spirit, and that is what has made them so special."

Brown said history was made with Monday night's victory.

"This is the first time a Boys' Youth team has advanced to the State tourney from Luverne," Brown said. "We are really excited to have this group of boys and coaches represent our City and program, but none of this would have been possible without the support of our mayor and council, and their commitment to the children of our community and county. We are especially grateful to all the parents, who have given of their time, vacations, and everything else in support of this program."

Brown said the upcoming trip is a special honor for the community.

"This trip is a tribute to all of the coaches, players and sponsors that have been a part of our program for the past 15 years," Brown said.

But Brown said the trip does not come without great expense.

"Our team and families are looking at a great expense with this trip," Brown said. "As long as they continue to win, it is entirely possible that the Dixie Youth team and their families will be in Boaz for a week, and that brings with it great expense."

Brown said any business or persons wishing to make a contribution to the expenses of this trip could do so by writing checks to the City of Luverne Parks and Recreation, with a notation stating that it is intended as a donation to the Dixie Youth State Championship trip.

For more information, one may call the City of Luverne at 335-3741, or Luverne Parks and Recreation at 335-3103.