Hugh McCutcheon's first day on the job as Gophers volleyball coach will be Thursday, just in time for this weekend's Diet Coke Classic at the Sports Pavilion.

McCutcheon completed his coaching responsibilities with USA Volleyball earlier this month, guiding the U.S. women's team to a silver medal at the Olympics in London. He won gold with the men in 2008.

McCutcheon was hired as Mike Hebert's replacement on Feb. 10, 2011. Laura Bush has been the interim coach and will stay on the staff as an assistant.

The Gophers began their 2012 season last weekend with two victories in Harrisonburg, Va. Their home opener is Friday night vs. Long Island.

22-hit attack leads Saints over Gary The St. Paul Saints scored four runs in the first inning, three on a home run by Ronnie Bourquin, and never looked back, beating the host Gary SouthShore RailCats 13-6. Bourquin, Jim Rapoport and Ole Sheldon had four hits each in the 22-hit attack. The Saints remained three games behind Winnipeg in the American Association wild-card race with six games to go.

Two tied for lead at Senior State Am Jon Empanger (Island View Golf Club) and Mark Knutson (Hazeltine National Golf Club) were tied for the 36-hole lead going into the final round of the 91st MGA Senior Amateur Championship, being played this year at Northland Country Club in Duluth.

Empanger shot a 2-over-par 73 on Tuesday and Knutson a 75 for 5-over 147 totals. First-round leader Bill Tadewald (Bunker Hills Golf Course) shot a 78 and is two strokes back.

Those three will make up the final group on Wednesday. Their tee time is scheduled for 9:30 a.m.

Etc. Minnesota State, Mankato softball player Kendra Huettl is one of 10 finalists for the NCAA Woman of the Year award in Division II, and Carleton College distance runner Simone Childs-Walker made the final 10 in Division III. Three finalists will be named in Division I, II and III in September, and the awards will be presented Oct. 14 in Indianapolis.