Just call him "rubber arm.'' Heck, Shakopee's baseball coaches do.

In his varsity debut last Monday against New Prague, Sabers junior Cody Pamperin pitched three shutout innings in relief to pick up a save. Three days later against Holy Angels, starter Jordan Gunhus experienced elbow discomfort after only one batter and a 1-2 count on the next man up. Without hesitation, in came Pamperin for his second career appearance. He threw one pitch for a strikeout, then threw 52/3 innings of shutout ball for his first victory.

He threw only 54 pitches, and not only wanted to finish the game but inquired at practice the next day about the possibility of pitching in Shakopee's junior varsity game Saturday.

Coach Tom Schleper decided against it.

"We love his attitude and he never seems to get sore, but we figured that was enough," Schleper said. "He looks really good so far. He's definitely going to be one of our contributors. He's been great."

New coaches for Eagan, Apple Valley

Former Minnesota Kicks player Allan Merrick has been hired as boys' soccer coach at Eagan. Merrick also coached the past 14 years for the University of Minnesota men's club team and has been the director of soccer development for the National Sports Center in Blaine.

Meanwhile, Apple Valley hired Carla Stock as gymnastics coach. She coached previously in Prior Lake and Eagan.