Minnesota State Mankato reached the NCAA Division II College World Series for the third time in four years, beating St. Cloud State 17-1 in the Central Region final Sunday in Mankato.

The Mavericks, the region's top seed, scored twice in the top of the first inning and then scored 11 runs in the seventh.

Minnesota State (39-8) will play Grand Valley State (35-17), champion of the Midwest Region, on Saturday in Cary, N.C. It will be the Mavericks' seventh appearance in the World Series, where they finished third last season. The Mavericks take a 10-game winning streak into the World Series and have won 22 of their past 23 games.

MSU Mankato righthander Nick Sutherland improved to 4-2 for MSU after pitching seven innings and giving up one run with four strikeouts, six hits and two walks.

Mavericks catcher Nolan Johnson was the Central Region MVP.

Etc.

• The Gophers women's rowing team placed fifth at the Big Ten Rowing Championships in Indianapolis, scoring 72 points. Redshirt senior Cassie Drozynski was picked for the All-Big Ten first team and senior Christine Beauparlant for the All-Big Ten second team. Ohio State won with 160 points.

• Brothers Brandon and Jordan Tripp each homered, propelling the St. Paul Saints to a 9-3 victory over the New Jersey Jackals in Midway Stadium.