The Gophers softball team scored five runs over the first two innings and held on for a 5-3 victory over No. 24 San Diego State on Friday night, the team’s second victory of the opening day of its season in San Diego.
Gophers softball team opens season with two victories
Jess Oakland homered twice and drove in five runs in the first game, then scored two runs in the second.
The Minnesota Star Tribune
February 10, 2024 at 5:57AM
Earlier, Jess Oakland homered twice — a two-run homer in the third inning and a three-run homer in the sixth — in an 8-5 victory over California-Santa Barbara.
Oakland scored two runs and had an RBI in the second game, when Bri Enter pitched the first six innings. Sydney Schwartz, who won the first game with 3⅔ innings of relief, then retired the Aztecs in order in the seventh inning of the second game to preserve the victory.
The Gophers play two more games Saturday, against No. 3 Stanford and UC Santa Barbara, before finishing with a game against Kentucky on Sunday.
Etc.
• Evan McIntyre and Chase Brand scored 12 seconds apart early in the third period and host Augustana beat the St. Thomas men’s hockey team 4-2. … Jack Peart had a goal and two assists as St. Cloud State beat host Miami (Ohio) 5-2. … Ryland Mosley scored 66 seconds in and host Michigan Tech beat Minnesota State Mankato 3-1. ... Adam Flamming had a goal and an assist and Bemidji State beat host Northern Michigan 4-2.
• The 11th-ranked Gophers wrestling team got pins from Michael Blockhus (157 pounds), Garrett Joles (197) and Bennett Tabor (heavyweight) in a 28-12 victory at Illinois. The Gophers have beaten the Illini 11 of the past 12 meetings.
Esko’s Koi Perich, who stuck with the Gophers after being heavily recruited by Ohio State, has overcome a hamstring injury and is learning fast.
