The Gophers’ freshman lefty reliever Tom Windle was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week, the conference announced Monday.

Windle is 3-2 on the season with a 3.10 earned-run average in 10 appearances. The coaching staff loves his repetoire of pitches but he’s struggled at times in big spots this season.

Windle had a dominating performance Saturday as part of Minnesota sweep on the road at Indiana. He entered the game after starter TJ Oakes was knocked out following a 90-plus minute rain delay. Windle threw four scoreless frames with four strikeouts to earn the win in the early game of a double-header.

Minnesota (6-6 Big Ten) will face South Dakota State Tuesday at 3:05 P.M. at Siebert Field. DJ Snelten will draw the start for the Gophers. The two teams will square off again Wednesday in Brookings, S.D.

Tyler Oakes, son of Gophers’ pitching coach Todd Oakes and brother of starter TJ, is in his first season as the Jackrabbits’ pitching coach.