Bobby Juan had two of his three hits in a six-run fifth inning that rallied the Gophers to an 8-1 victory over New Mexico State on Friday in their first game of the Dairy Queen Classic at the Metrodome.

Juan went 3-for-4 with three RBI. Winning pitcher TJ Oakes allowed only one run in 5 2/3 innings before Kevin Kray got his second save, allowing one hit in 3 1/3 innings. In 18 1/3 innings pitched this year, Oakes' ERA is 0.49.

Minnesota plays West Virginia at 6:35 p.m Saturday.

The Gophers won their first two games at the Bulldog Invitational softball tournament, defeating Cleveland State 9-5 and Mercer 3-1 in Athens, Ga. Alex Davis' two-run homer was the key blow in a six-run third inning against Cleveland State. Tyler Walker and Kaitlyn Richardson also homered for the Gophers (11-3). Richardson also homered in the Game 2 victory.

• Dakota County Technical College will face host Bismarck State College at 1:30 p.m. for the NCJAA Division II Region 13 championship. Dakota County, ranked No. 10 nationally, is 24-6 in its first season of competition.