St. John's of New York routed the Gophers 11-5 on Thursday night in a nonconference baseball game at U.S. Bank Stadium.

The Red Storm scored three runs in the first inning and six in the second to take a 9-0 lead.

Luke Pettersen had two RBI doubles for the Gophers (16-10).Jordan Kozicky and Cole McDevitt each had a sacrifice fly.

Lynx preseason set

The Lynx will open the WNBA preseason with a 2:30 p.m. game against the Washington Mystics at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines on May 6.

Their other preseason game will be May 12 vs. the Chicago Sky at 7 p.m. at Target Center.

Kent Youngblood

Eyssimont to Kings

The Los Angeles Kings signed forward Mikey Eyssimont to a two-year entry-level contract.

Eyssimont, 21, was the second-leading scorer for St. Cloud State as a junior this season, with a team-high 17 goals and 22 assists in 39 games.

The Kings also agreed to terms with Minnesota State Mankato junior defenseman Daniel Brickley, an unrestricted free agent. He had 10 goals and 25 assists in 40 games this season.

Hobey down to three

The three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award are forwards Henrik Borgström, a Denver sophomore; Ryan Donato, a Harvard junior, and Adam Gaudette, a Northeastern junior.

The winner will be announced at 5 p.m. next Friday in St. Paul.

Etc.

• First-year Northern Michigan hockey coach Grant Potulny, a former Gophers player and assistant, agreed to an eight-year contract through 2025-26, with a base salary of $285,000, plus expenses and performance bonuses.

• Gophers senior guard Carlie Wagner made 11 three-pointers in her allotted time at the slam dunk and three-point championships in San Antonio, the site of the 2018 men's Final Four. She did not advance past the first round of her eight-player contest.

• The Gophers softball team plays Illinois this weekend at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium. Because of weather, the teams will play twice Friday beginning at 1 p.m., with the series finale at noon Sunday.

• The St. Paul Saints signed former Twins farmhand Max Murphy, who played at Cooper High School and Bradley University. The Saints also signed infielder Noah Perio, 26, recently released by the Colorado Rockies.