The Washington Huskies' bats were on fire Friday afternoon, launching four home runs to power an 11-7 victory over the Minnesota Golden Gophers. The offensive explosion was led by star left fielder Jackson Hotchkiss, who continued to build his draft stock with a monster performance.

Hotchkiss, a projected first-round pick, set the tone immediately with a leadoff homer and never slowed down. He finished the day 3-for-4 with two walks, driving in five runs and scoring three. His day included an RBI single in the second inning and a crushing three-run blast in the fourth, showcasing the kind of power that makes scouts take notice.

He wasn't alone in the home run derby. Shortstop Sam DeCarlo added a two-run shot in the fourth, and catcher Colton Bower provided crucial insurance with a three-run homer in the fifth. This offensive barrage gave the Huskies' pitching staff a comfortable cushion to work with.

Starter Noah Kenney, fresh off a National Team of the Week honor, delivered another quality start to earn the win. He worked six solid innings, allowing four runs while striking out five. The bullpen navigated some late trouble, with Tommy Brandenberg entering in the ninth to strand two runners and secure his third save of the season.

With this win, Washington improves to 16-18 overall and 7-6 in the competitive Big Ten conference. The Huskies' powerful display is a reminder of how explosive this lineup can be when clicking. The team was back in action shortly after for the second game of their doubleheader, looking to carry that momentum forward.