BY MATT HEINRICHS — SPORTS EDITOR

Okoboji’s softball squad snapped a nine-game losing streak with a dominant road win over Siouxland Conference rival George-Little Rock on Friday, June 17. The Pioneers pounded the Mustangs 20-1 in George.

BY MATT HEINRICHS — SPORTS EDITOR

Harris-Lake Park’s baseball team fell behind early but rallied late in a nonconference contest with Hinton on Friday, June 17. Unfortunately, the Wolves’ rally was cut short after coach Jared Rahe used an ineligible pitcher and Hinton emerged with a 9-7 victory over Harris-Lake Park in Hinton.

BY MATT HEINRICHS — SPORTS EDITOR

Harris-Lake Park’s softball team fell to Hinton in a War Eagle Conference clash played Friday, June 17. The Blackhawks defeated the Wolves 8-1 in Hinton.

BY MATT HEINRICHS — SPORTS EDITOR

Spirit Lake’s baseball squad snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 10-run home victory over Humboldt on Thursday, June 16. The Indians walloped the Wildcats 13-3 in Spirit Lake.

BY MATT HEINRICHS — SPORTS EDITOR

Okoboji’s baseball team put on an incredible offensive display in a nonconference road win over North Union on Thursday, June 16. The Pioneers pounded the Warriors 28-14 in Bancroft.

BY MATT HEINRICHS — SPORTS EDITOR

Okoboji’s softball team got out to a slow start and Manson-Northwest Webster took advantage during a nonconference contest played Thursday, June 16. The Cougars crushed the Pioneers 14-4 in Milford.

Manson-Northwest Webster built a 14-0 lead with four runs in the first, four more in the third and six in the fourth. Okoboji pushed four runs across in the bottom half of the fourth, but it wasn’t enough.

BY MATT HEINRICHS — SPORTS EDITOR

Spencer’s offense was on fire from the opening frame Wednesday night in a Lakes Conference baseball battle with Spirit Lake. The Tigers scored nine runs in the first inning of an 18-8 victory over the Indians in Spencer.

BY MATT HEINRICHS — SPORTS EDITOR

After starting the season 13-2 and moving into the Class 3A rankings, Spirit Lake’s softball squad suffered its fifth loss in seven games — and, subsequently, dropped out of the rankings – following a Lakes Conference road loss to rival Spencer on Wednesday, June 15. The Tigers topped the Indians 6-2 in Spencer.

BY MATT HEINRICHS — SPORTS EDITOR

Harris-Lake Park’s baseball team dropped its fifth straight game in a War Eagle Conference road matchup with Unity Christian on Wednesday, June 15. The Knights topped the Wolves 9-1 in Orange City.

BY MATT HEINRICHS — SPORTS EDITOR

Harris-Lake Park’s softball team snapped an 11-game losing streak in thrilling fashion Wednesday evening. The Wolves defeated War Eagle Conference rival Unity Christian 19-16 in Orange City.

BY MATT HEINRICHS — SPORTS EDITOR

Okoboji’s baseball team suffered a 10-run road loss to Siouxland Conference rival Central Lyon on Tuesday, June 14. The Lions scored seven runs in the third inning of an 8-6 win over the Pioneers in Rock Rapids.

BY MATT HEINRICHS — SPORTS EDITOR

Okoboji’s softball team suffered a 10-run road loss to nonconference foe North Union on Tuesday, June 14. The second-ranked (2A) Warriors scored nine runs in the opening frame of a 10-0 win over the Pioneers in Swea City.

BY STEVE WEISMAN — OUTDOORS EDITOR

BY BOB JENSEN — FISHING THE MIDWEST

In the world of fishing, new lures and new techniques are developed regularly. Some of those lure types and techniques take a long time to become popular. Ned Rigs are like that. I’ve been aware of the Ned Rig and Ned Rigging for a good number of years, but have never really put it to use.  

BY MIKE HAWKINS — DISTRICT FISHERIES BIOLOGIST, IOWA DNR

If you ask any aquatic ecologist or botanist, limnologist, fisheries or marine biologist about aquatic plants they will tell you how important they are to the health of a lake, an estuary, river, pond or wetland.