FAIRMONT — For those subscribers who noticed I was on vacation during the past two weeks, I have returned — for better or worse.

Now to adjust to the high humidity (incredibly low dew points in southeastern Iowa last week), figure out the area sports schedule for this week and recap the Iowa prep diamond season.

The Fairmont Martins open the First Nite League amateur baseball playoffs by facing Tracy in a best-of-3 series. Fairmont plays host to Tracy at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Herb Wolf Field in Game 1.

The opening-round series shifts to Tracy for Game 2 at 2 p.m. Saturday, with an “if necessary” Game 3 scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday back at Herb Wolf Field in Fairmont.

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On the road

The Winnebago/Blue Earth American Legion Posts 82 & 89 baseball team opens the Division II, Southwest Sub-State tournament against Adrian at 5 p.m. Thursday in Luverne.

WBE, the Section 2C champion, returns to action in the double-elimination bracket on Friday in Luverne at either 2:30 p.m. (consolation game) or 7:30 p.m. (winners-bracket contest).

Sub-State action continues Saturday at noon, 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. in Luverne. The final rounds will be played Friday, July 26, and Saturday, July 27.

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On the road 2.0

If road racing is more to your liking, then prepare to hit the pavement at the 41st annual Fairmont Summer Run on Saturday, July 27.

The oldest continuous run in southern Minnesota, which is coordinated by Community Education & Recreation, will consist of runs of 5 miles, 2 miles, a half-mile and a quarter-mile.

The headquarters for the run will be the Fairmont High School fieldhouse, while the course will start and finish at Bob Bonk Track.

The pre-registration fee for students in the 2- and 5-mile races is $12, the pre-registration cost for adults is $15, while the cost for race-day registration is $20 per runner. The half-mile and quarter-mile races are free.

Runners can register online at: fairmontareaschools.portal.rschooltoday.com and click “webstore” and then Community Education and Recreation or fill out a printed application from CER and return it by noon Tuesday, July 23.

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Summer’s end

Hannah Ausenhus pitched a three-hit shutout to guide Central Springs to a 10-0, five-inning victory over North Union during last Friday night’s Iowa Class 2A, Region 5 softball semifinal in Manly, Iowa.

Hope Steinberger, Maddie Rolling and Ariel Olson collected one hit apiece for North Union, which ended its season with a 15-17 record.

Central Springs zipped East Sac County, 6-0, during Monday night’s regional championship game in Manly to qualify for the Class 2A state tournament.

The Iowa Class 2A state quarterfinals begin Monday, July 22, at Rogers Sports Complex in Fort Dodge.

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Summer’s end 2.0

Lukas Wogen struck out 12 batters in firing a five-hit complete game to power West Fork to a 7-1 victory over North Union in Saturday’s Iowa Class 1A, District 4 baseball quarterfinals in Sheffield.

Noah Morphew, Brendan Anderson, Elliott Hagebock, Braden Pierce and Jay Heinen each produced hits for North Union, which ended its season with a 6-17 record.