After winning six straight home openers, the Gophers softball team lost 2-1 to Illinois in eight innings on Friday at Jane Sage Cowles Field.

Kelly Ryono hit a two-out solo homer for the Illini (16-12) in the eighth; wining pitcher Tori McQueen threw a six-hitter, struck out 10 and walked one.

Lauren Espalin was 3-for-4 with an RBI single in the third inning for Minnesota (15-12-1, 2-1). Teammate Ellee Jensen doubled with two outs in the bottom of the seventh but was thrown out at third.

U baseball falls

Redshirt senior third baseman Jack Kelly went 3-for-4 with two doubles and a two-run home run for the Gophers, but they lost 6-4 at Rutgers in their Big Ten baseball opener.

Junior righthander Sam Ireland of Minnesota (8-16) gave up three runs and eight hits and struck out seven in five innings. Starter Jared Kollar of the Scarlet Knights (19-6, 3-1 Big Ten) tied a career-high by striking out 10 hitters, allowing two runs and four hits in six innings.

Because of rain expected Sunday, the teams will play a doubleheader starting at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Etc.

Gophers forward Ella Huber was named national rookie of the month for March by the Hockey Commissioners Association. The rookie from Northfield, Ill., had a goal against Ohio State in the WCHA Final Faceoff title game and added 11 shots, three blocks, and four faceoff wins.

After leading the St. Scholastica men's hockey program to a fourth-place finish in the MIAC, interim head coach Dave Williams was given the job on a permanent basis.

Augsburg forward Austin Martinsen was named to All-USCHO Division III first team and St. Olaf forward Tyler Cooper and St. Mary's defenseman Callahan Nauss were named to the All-USCHO rookie team.

The Gophers tennis team beat Rutgers 7-0 at the Baseline Tennis Center. With the win, Minnesota (14-6, 3-4) matched its season victory total in both 2018 and 2019. At No. 1 singles, Rachel Hanford defeated Tess Fisher 6-0, 6-1.