Freshman catcher Austin Athmann went 3-for-3 and had an RBI as the Gophers beat North Dakota State 5-3 on Tuesday at Siebert Field in nonconference baseball.
It was Athmann's first start since March 9. He also blocked the plate and tagged a runner out at home in the third inning.
Shortstop Mike Handel was 2-for-5 with an RBI for the Gophers (18-14).
Minnesota, ahead 2-1, scored three runs in the seventh to open a 5-1 lead. Handel doubled, two pinch hitters walked to load the bases. Athmann's walk scored a run and then pinch-hiotter Dan Olinger singled to score two more runs.
Pinh-hitter David Ernest had a two-run single for the Bison (8-16) in the eighth inning.
Toby Anderson, who pitched two scoreless innings in relief, got the victory while Kevin Kray got a save with 1⅓ innings of work.
Etc.
• Three Minnesotans were named to the U.S. national team which will compete in the IIHF men's world championship May 9-25 in Minsk, Belarus. They are Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner, of Minnetonka, New York Islanders forward Brock Nelson of Warroad and Kloten (Switzerland) forward Peter Mueller of Bloomington.
• Defenseman Ryan Lindgren of Shattuck-St. Mary's and goalie Jake Oettinger of Lakeville North committed to the under-17 U.S. national development team based in Ann Arbor, Mich. Lindgren has verbally committed to the Gophers. Oettinger helped the Panthers reach the Class 2A title game last March as a freshman.
