Coyotes edge Yavapai, then get bullied by Matadors

HENDERSON, Nev. -- The College of Southern Nevada baseball team broke a scoreless tie in the fifth inning and held on in the ninth to defeat Yavapai College (Ariz.) 4-2 in the first of two games played on Saturday in the Coyote Border Battle at Morse Stadium.

The Coyotes dropped the nightcap to Arizona Western College 15-3 in a game shortened to five innings by the mercy rule.

CSN (3-1) received seven strong innings on the mound by starter Andrew Daley (1-0). He allowed four hits while striking out four and walking two.  Billy Richardson earned his first save of the season.

An RBI double by Andy Weissberg and a sacrifice fly by Jordan Van Hoosier scored two of the Coyotes' three runs in the sixth inning that put the good guys ahead, 4-0. Weissberg finished 2-for-4 with a double and triple, and Cory Welch was 2-for-3 with a double.

Aaron Blair went 2-for-3 with a double to lead the Roughriders (0-4), who also lost to Salt Lake Community College 5-0 on Saturday.

Against Arizona Western, CSN fell behind early and couldn't recover against stingy left-handed pitcher Angel Olivas.  Olivas shut down the Coyote offense while his teammates opened up an offensive explosion, scoring in each of the five innings. He allowed one earned run and struck out six.

Quinnton Mack and Jack LaMarca had the only two hits in the game for CSN. Four players with two hits apiece for the Matadors (3-1).

Up next for the Coyotes is the 12th annual CSN Coyote Classic, taking place Feb. 2-4 at Morse Stadium. CSN will host Northeastern Junior College on Thursday at 6 p.m. to open up tournament play.