Shortstop Michael Handel hit a two-run homer and had three RBI as the Gophers beat North Dakota State 5-3 in a nonconference game on Wednesday at Siebert Field. Ben Meyer, the Gophers' second of five pitchers, went 2â…“ innings in the middle of the game for his fourth victory. Billy Soule pitched the ninth inning for his eighth save.

The Gophers (24-13) fell behind 1-0 in the second inning when Wes Satzinger hit a solo homer for NDSU (15-15). But Minnesota scored two runs in the fifth inning and three in the seventh inning to take a 5-1 lead.

Softball sweep for U

The Gophers' softball team scored 25 runs in sweeping a doubleheader from Iowa State 12-6 and 13-1 in Ames. Kayla Wenner and Tyler Walker hit homers in the first game for the Gophers, who led 9-1 after the top of the sixth inning. Sara Moulton got the victory, her 23rd of the season. Kayla Richardson went 3-for-4 and had three RBI in the second game while Wenner was 2-for-3, including a two-run triple.