By James Hernandez 

After wrapping up a third straight conference crown last weekend, the Coyotes hit the road to conclude its regular season versus the CSI Golden Eagles in Twin Falls, Idaho. Although CSN had already earned the top seed and the right to host the 2017 Region XVIII tournament, CSI still had some work to do in order to finish in third place and avoid the 4-5 play-in game Thursday afternoon.

Undefeated lefty Todd Danzeisen (8-0, 3.47 ERA) got the start in the series opener and was opposed by Golden Eagle ace Ryan Beard 5-1, 0.84 ERA).

The Coyotes failed to score on the CSI lefty over 5-2 innings of play a month earlier in Southern Nevada and Beard once again had CSN's number. Despite a number of hard hit balls off the Coyote bats, a Blake Wiggins single in the top of the second was the only thing that stood between Ryan and a no-no. Travis singled home the games first run in the bottom of the third inning and Justin Mannens added some insurance with a pair of RBI's in the fifth. CSI defeated CSN 3-0 in the series opener as Ryan Beard tossed a complete game one-hitter to earn his fifth  win of the year. Beard has now fired 12.2 scoreless innings of 3-hit baseball versus the reigning SWAC champs.

Following its first two-game conference losing streak of the season, CSN came out eager to get itself back in the win column. So much so in fact, that Coach Garritano called on the services of unbeaten lefty Ben Cutting (5-0, 2.12 ERA) and stud freshman Isiah Blaylock (7-2 3.70 ERA) to get back into the winners circle.

Cutting was sharp as a tack over his four innings of work, fanning three and allowing just one earned run.

Back to back RBI's off the bats of Justin Lutes and Jason Wallace gave CSN a brief 2-1 lead. CSI rallied to take a 3-2 lead after plating a pair in the 5th, but the Coyotes flexed on the Golden Eagles in the sixth. A Justin Lutes solo shot knotted the game up 3-3 and with Wallace on first Dillon Johnson did a little yard work in the potato state. "DJ" deposited a 2-run jack over the wall to give his squad a 5-3 lead they would never relinquish. RBI's from Christian Maggi and Jarrett Perns slammed the door on the Golden Eagles and secured the win for the Coyotes. Blaylock dealt five innings of 2-run baseball to tie Todd Danzeisen for the team lead in wins with eight as CSN dropped CSI 7-3 to take game two and even the series 1-1.

Dan Skelly was on the bump for game three as the former UNLV Rebel made a start for the second consecutive weekend.

Skelly pitched well in a no-decision last weekend vs the Bruins and was hoping to earn some postseason innings with another quality outing in Twin Falls. Dan was outstanding for a second straight week, surrendering just a pair of runs over 5.2 innings of work in which he fanned half a dozen Golden Eagles. CSI's Colton Westfall was equally as effective, matching Skelly nearly pitch for pitch on the way to tossing 5.2 innings of two-run baseball that included 5 K's. Jordan Macias scored the games first run after Westfall uncorked a wild pitch that found its way to the backstop. Blake Wiggins continued to heat up as he launched a no-doubter over the wall in the top of the sixth, extending the Coyotes lead to 2-0. Justin Mannens clutched up with a one-out triple in the bottom of the sixth to score Colin Gordon and cut the deficit in half.

Later that inning with two on and two out, Daniel Nist stepped into the batters box to face Joey O'Brien with the game hanging in the balance. Nist deposited O'Brien's 2-1 offering out of the park to stun the Coyotes and give the Golden Eagles its first lead of the day 4-2. CSN got the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position, but Cody Barkdull struck out Kaid Urban to earn the save and secure the victory for CSI.

Game four was halted when Mother Nature decided to open up the sky's and pour down some heavy rain upon Skip Walker Field. Since both teams had already secured their seedings for next weeks Region XVIII tournament, the game was inconsequential to the final standings and canceled.

Fans make your plans to "Pack the Den" May 11-13 for the 2017 Region 18 Tournament.

For a look at the Region XVIII bracket, game times and live updates all tournament log onto www.csncoyotes.com or follow us on Facebook CSNCoyotes and Twitter @CSNCoyotes.