Moulton, U keep rolling in softball in Big Ten opener

The Gophers opened their Big Ten softball season by beating Nebraska 7-2 on Friday in Lincoln. Senior righthander Sara Moulton got the victory to improve to 16-2.

Kaitlyn Richardson's two-run single gave the Gophers a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning. Tyler Walker was 3-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI.

The No. 16-ranked Gophers, off to their best start ever, are 23-3.

The Gophers baseball team, coming off a 4-1 road trip to California, will open its Big Ten season against Northwestern with a doubleheader starting at noon Saturday in St. Charles, Mo.

The three-game series was moved from Evanston, Ill., because of inclement weather.

Minnesota (11-6) scored 27 runs and had 31 hits in two midweek victories at St. Mary's.

The Gophers women's gymnastics team, which tied for the Big Ten regular-season dual meet title with Nebraska with 6-1 records, will compete in the conference meet Saturday at Penn State.

• Forward Pablo Campos, whose 13 goals for the Minnesota United FC last season were the second most in the NASL, suffered a torn anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee in an exhibition match in England last week. He will require surgery and will miss the spring season.

• The Gophers beat visiting Iowa 6-1 in women's tennis. Natallia Pintusava rallied for a 3-6, 6-0, 6-4 victory at No. 2 singles.

• Junior forward Alex Altenbernd of St. Thomas and senior defenseman Caleb Suderman of Concordia (Moorhead) were named to first team Division III All-America men's hockey team. Senior forward Corey Leivermann of Gustavus and junior goalie Drew Fielding of St. Thomas made the second team.