The No. 16-ranked Gophers softball team will opens its season with two games on Friday at the Texas Classic in Austin.

Minnesota will play Maryland at 11:30 a.m. and the host Longhorns at 7 p.m.

Etc.

• Junior Matic Spec and Felix Corwin of the Gophers are No. 22 in doubles in the ITA Division I national rankings. They are 13-3.• Senior Kate Schipper of the Gophers was named the WCHA's offensive player of the week. She had three goals and three assists in a sweep of Minnesota State Mankato.

• St. Thomas center Kaitlin Langer was named the Division III women's basketball player of the week by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association. She averaged 22 points and 7.7 rebounds as the Tommies went 3-0, including a win over previously unbeaten Gustavus.