No. 16 Gophers sweep Badgers in softball doubleheader

The No. 16 Gophers swept Wisconsin 8-2 and 10-3 in a doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon in Madison to stay in the chase for the Big Ten regular-season title.

In the opener, Maddie Houlihan hit two two-run homers and Natalie DenHartog went 4-for-4 with solo homer, two doubles and two RBI. Junior righthander Amber Fiser, named one of 25 candidates for USA Softball's Player of the Year while the Gophers were in action, got the victory, allowing one hit in four innings with 10 strikeouts.

The Badgers scored three runs in the third inning off Fiser in the second game to take a 3-1 lead, but the Gophers rallied for five runs in the fifth. Hope Brander's two-run single tied the score and Emma Burns brought in the go-ahead run on a suicide squeeze. DenHartog hit a grand slam in the sixth. Her 14th homer of the season gave the freshman seven RBI in the two games.

Minnesota (34-10, 15-1 Big Ten), which has won eight in a row, trails first-place Northwestern (17-0) by 1½ games and Michigan (16-1) by one-half game.

Isaiah Ihnen, a 6-9 forward from Boblingen, Germany, signed a national letter of intent to join the Gophers men's basketball team.

"[He] can play multiple positions." coach Richard Pitino said. "His potential is off the charts. We expect Isaiah to come in and make a great impact on and off the court right when he steps on campus."

Ihnen is rated the No. 89-ranked prospect in the class of 2019, according to 247Sports, which lists him as a four-star recruit.

Originally form Minsk, Belarus, she averaged 12.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.4 steals in two seasons at Panola.

"Masha brings our team a tremendous ability to score, rebound and defend at a very high level," coach Lindsay Whalen said in a news release.

The Lynx finalized their 19-player training camp roster after announcing the signing of four draft picks — Napheesa Collier, Jessica Shepard, Cierra Dillard and Kenisha Bell — and two free agents — forward Shao Ting and guard Taylor Emery.

Veteran forward Rebekkah Brunson, still battling the aftereffects of a concussion, is not on the camp roster. Maya Moore is, but she will spend the season on the suspended list as she takes the year off.

Camp will open May 5.

• Winona State swept host Wayne State 9-0 and 10-0 to extend its softball unbeaten streak to a current Division II best of 26 games. Jordyn Kleman threw a five-inning no-hitter in the first game for the No. 7 Warriors (41-5, 26-0 NSIC).