Gophers get commit from East Ridge back

The Gophers landed their first running back commitment for the Class of 2017 on Wednesday, and it came from East Ridge standout Dominik London.

The 5-8, 195-pound London rushed for 2,211 yards and 20 touchdowns last year, helping East Ridge to a runner-up finish in Class 6A. London was also part of East Ridge's state championship winning 4 x 100 relay team.

Scout ranks London as the nation's 70th-best running back in his class, and 247Sports has him at No. 88.

The consensus three-star recruit also had a reported offer from South Dakota State.

He announced his commitment on Twitter.

JOE CHRISTENSEN

Defending overall champion Tom Zirbel and Brianna Walle were the men's and women's winners in the St. Paul time trial, the opening stage of the 17th annual North Star Grand Prix cycling event.

Zirbel was the only rider who finished in under 10 minutes on the 5-mile out-and-back course.

Thursday is the 85-mile Cannon Falls road race at 3:45 p.m.

The six-stage event runs through Sunday.

The St. Paul Saints lost 8-6 in seven innings to the Sioux City Explorers in the first game of a doubleheader Wednesday night at CHS Field, ending a six-game winning streak.

Tony Thomas extended his hitting streak to 26 games with a three-run homer in his final at-bat in the seventh for the Saints (18-9). That's two shy of the team record.

The first rainout in CHS Field history on Tuesday forced Wednesday's doubleheader.

The Saints have a day off Thursday after their first three home games since May 29. They're back on the road Friday for the start of a six-game trip.

The Saints added former Twins farmhand Chad Christensen to their roster.

Christensen, a 25-year-old outfielder, was released by the Twins last week after hitting .190 in 42 games for Class A Fort Myers.

He was drafted in the 25th round out of Nebraska by the Twins in 2013. His best season was in 2014 for Class A Cedar Rapids. That season he hit .272 with nine home runs and 73 RBI. He also scored 84 runs and stole 30 bases.

The Saints also activated catcher Tony Caldwell from the disabled list and released relief pitcher Chris Peacock.

Saturday's post time at Canterbury Park has been moved from 12:45 p.m. to 12:15.