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CSN Coyotes lose two out of four to SLCC Bruins, staying two games under .500 on the road
 
By Harrison Howard/csncoyotes.com
March 17, 2015
 
Las Vegas, NV- With recent success at home (12 consecutive games won), the College of Southern Nevada looked to continue their hot streak on the road at Salt Lake Community College.  So far this season, the Coyotes had been playing under .500 baseball on the road, winning 12 out of 14 at home, and haven't lost a home game since February 1^st.  Before this series, the Coyotes hadn't faced the Bruins this season.  Salt Lake Community College's record entering the weekend series was 14-9, losing their only conference game they've played.  The CSN Coyotes were looking to change their early season road struggles by carrying over their home accomplishments with the four game series in Salt Lake City, Utah against the SLCC Bruins.
 
The series opened with a Friday night matchup, with pitcher Gabe Gonzalez getting the start.  The Bruins struck first with a 3 run 3^rd inning.  CSN's starting shortstop, Cain Brady, was back in the lineup after a week's rest due to injury, and delivered a RBI single in the top of the 5^th inning.  Gabe Gonzalez found himself in some more trouble in the 6^th inning, allowing 2 more runs before being pulled from the game.  Starting center fielder Kenny Meimerstorf smashed a solo home run to left field in the top of the 9^th inning, cutting the lead to 3 runs, but his efforts were too little, too late.  The Coyotes fell to the Bruins 5 to 2.
 
CSN brought in their big gun, Phil Bickford, to start game #2.  Bickford was definitely ready for the challenge, by striking out 8 of the 9 outs recorded in the first 3 innings.  But the season long trend of no run support for Phil continued.  Bickford went 5 strong innings, allowing 1 unearned run, 1 hit, 2 walks, and striking out 12 batters.  Right after Bickford left the game, second baseman Tyler Brown got a RBI single in the top of the 6^th inning, tying the game at 1 run apiece.  The Coyotes were happy to have Cain Brady back in the lineup, who broke the tie ball game with a RBI double in the top of the 9^th inning.  Matt Waldren and Ali Deolarte both had RBI singles in the 9^th,increasing the lead to 3 runs.  Relief pitcher Alec Hutt pitched a perfect 9^th inning, earning his first save of the year, finishing the win off for the Coyotes 4 to 1. 
 
The second game of the double header this past Saturday night showcased starting pitcher Aj Jones.  Entering the game, Aj Jones had 4 wins on the season, and was searching for his 5^th.  Unlike Bickford, Jones had the run support from his offense, scoring 8 total runs in the game.  The Bruins were only able to score 1 run off of Aj Jones and 2 off of pitcher Kevin Shul, in a losing effort.  The Coyotes beat the Bruins 8 to 3, taking a 2 to 1 game lead in the series.
 
The start of the final game of the series didn't start off exactly the way the Coyotes were hoping.  Behind the inconsistent pitching from Anthony Martine and the sloppy fielding from CSN, which included 4 total errors, SLCC jumped to an early lead over CSN that they weren't able to overcome until the 9^th inning.  The Coyotes scored 3 runs in the top of the 9^th to even the score at 7 runs a piece, taking the game into extra innings.  Salt Lake Community College broke the tie with a walk off RBI single in the bottom of the 11^th inning, defeating the College of Southern Nevada 8 to 7, splitting the weekend series.
 
The Coyotes were unable to improve upon their road record, and will have to wait two weeks to make another run at it.  Besides the final game of the series, the Coyotes played very well in the first three games.  Phil Bickford continues to pitch brilliantly, but again walked away without a victory.  Besides Bickford, the pitching staff hasn't been as strong on the road this season.  The upcoming home series for the College of Southern Nevada is against the College of Southern Idaho, where the Coyotes will be looking to increase their home win streak from 12 games. 
 
For the latest news, the complete 2015 Coyote baseball schedule, and more of my articles covering each weekend series, please visit www.csncoyotes.com.  Follow us on Twitter @CSNCoyotes, for live scoring updates and in game tweets.