Gopher has local ties

Tucker Novotny, the son and grandson of former Minneota residents Paul and Heather Novotny and Rich and Gloria Novotny, respectively, recently signed a National Letter of Intent with the Minnesota Gophers. Tucker is a 6-foot-5, 235-pound left-handed pitcher who throws in the upper 80s. He is a senior at Park of Cottage Grove. A Prepbaseball.com report said Tucker has a "sneaky fastball and long-arm action with good extension out front.”