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CSN came into the weekend hoping to extend their twelve game home winning streak and improve upon an average 4-4 start in conference play, as they matched up with the College of Southern Idaho Golden Eagles at Morse Stadium.

By James Hernandez

Game one of the series featured CSI ace Makay Nelson facing off against CSN freshman and five game winner Aj Jones. Jones and Nelson found themselves in a classic pitchers duel through four innings as both arms controlled the pace of the game and shut down the opposing offenses. Aj was done in by three consecutive walks in the top of the fifth that loaded the bases, followed by consecutive RBI singles by Ethan Ibarra and Cole Walters that put the Coyotes in a 3-0 hole. Josh Nurenberg came in to relieve Jones with two runners on and two out, but unfortunately was unable to stop the bleeding as Nate Gardner produced the Golden Eagles third straight hit of the inning and extended the CSI lead to 5-0. Makay Nelson and Tyler Burdett combined to throw nine innings of three hit baseball, striking out thirteen Coyotes and snapping CSN's twelve game home winning streak by a final score of 7-0.

CSN ace Phil Bickford took the ball in game two looking to get his Coyotes back into the winners circle and add to his SWAC leading 73 strikeouts. CSN took the early 1-0 lead in the third inning after second baseman Tyler Brown doubled down the left field line, bringing home shortstop Cain Brady. Bickford was his usual dominant self, striking out nine batters in seven innings of work, but after some unfortunate fielding errors in the top of the fifth inning he found himself trailing 2-1 despite not allowing an earned run. Luckily for the Coyotes a fielding error and a passed ball would put runners on second and third for first baseman Ali Deolarte who hit a clutch two-RBI single that put the Coyotes ahead for good. Phil would tally strikeouts on four of his final six outs as he recorded his first complete game victory of the season, evening the series at a game apiece after defeating CSI starter Zack Draper by a final score of 3-2.   

Game three of the series saw lefty Anthony Martine toed the rubber hoping to pitch his Coyotes to a sweep Friday afternoons doubleheader. The middle infield combo of Cain Brady and Tyler Brown got the Coyotes off to an early 3-0 lead with back to back RBI singles in the bottom of the second inning that the team would not relinquish. Alec Hutt entered the game in the bottom of the third inning for a struggling Anthony Martine and pitched 3.1 innings of scoreless relief to earn the victory. Mason Hayes singled home Jesse Keiser in the bottom of the fifth to extend the Coyotes lead to 4-2 and Kayden Porter pitched a perfect top of the seventh inning to earn his second save of the season. CSN defeated CSI 4-2 in game three of the series.

True freshman Gabe Gonzalez went to the mound in the final game of the series with the opportunity to pitch CSN to their first conference series win of the season. Gabe was inconsistent Saturday afternoon as he labored through 3.1 innings allowing 4 hits, 4 walks, 3 runs while throwing 68 pitches. Fortunately for Gonzalez and the Coyotes CSN's bats erupted, scoring runs in six of the seven innings they came to the plate. Every Coyote reached base either by hit or walk and Ali Deolarte was the most productive bat of the game producing 4 RBI's on two hits as well as drawing a bases loaded walk. Nate Bennett pitched 2.2 innings of scoreless relief, striking out two and not allowing a hit on his way to his first victory of the season. CSN run ruled CSI in the final game of the series by a final score of 11-3 and improved their conference record to 7-5 as they prepare for a crucial road trip to Carson City to face Western Nevada next weekend.   

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.