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The CSN Coyotes tally another home series victory, improving their lead in the SWAC Conference to four games.
 
By Harrison Howard/csncoyotes.com
April 6, 2015
 
Las Vegas, NV- The College of Southern Nevada Coyotes wanted to increase their lead in the SWAC Conference this weekend, where they were at home taking on the last place Colorado Northwestern Community College Spartans.  The Spartans have struggled all season, but faired well against the Coyotes earlier this season, winning two out of four at home.  The CSN Coyotes have been almost unbeatable at home and have won every home series this season.  The Coyotes' pitching staff, which had been especially dominant at home, attempted to shut down the Spartans' bats this past weekend.  Anthony Martine received the start in the first game, and had the first opportunity to earn the victory for the Coyotes.
 
Martine got into a little trouble in the 1^st inning, but was able to get out of the inning unscathed.  Martine wasn't so lucky in the 3^rd inning, allowing two runs and giving the Spartans a 2 to 0 lead over the Coyotes.  The bats for the Coyotes were very quiet this game.  They were only able to get 3 hits all game, and weren't able to score a single run.  Martine had a solid outing going 5 2/3 innings, allowing 2 runs, 5 hits, 1 walk, while striking out 11 hitters in a losing effort.  The Spartans defeated the Coyotes 2 to 0 to take game #1.
 
The Coyotes called upon their highly touted draft prospect, Phil Bickford, to get the team back on track.  Bickford has definitely impressed the scouts this season, posting a 2.06 ERA, with 89 strikeouts in only 48 innings.  The Coyotes took a 1 run lead in the bottom of the 1^st inning, with a bases loaded walk from centerfielder Matt Waldren.  Starting left fielder Jesse Keiser led off the bottom of the 3^rd inning with a solo home run to right field.  Later that inning, Drew Newson delivered with an RBI single to left field, giving CSN a 3 run lead.  In the bottom of the 6^th inning, second baseman Tyler Brown drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to right center field, scoring Newson.  The Spartans were only able to score two runs the entire game, giving the win to the Coyotes, 4 to 2.  Phil Bickford earned his 6^th win of the year, lowering his ERA to 1.90 and increasing his strikeout total to 96.
 
Gabe Gonzalez was on the mound for game #3 against the Spartans, and looked impressive.  Gonzalez seemed to have control of all his pitches right from the start, only allowing 1 run.  Tyler Brown led off the bottom of the 1^st inning with a triple to right field.  Jesse Keiser had a productive ground out to second base, scoring Brown from third base.  The CSN Coyotes scored 4 runs in the 5^th inning, taking a 5 to 1 lead over the CNCC Spartans.  Gabe Gonzalez had his best outing of the season, throwing the entire 7 innings, winning his 5^th game of the season, and giving the Coyotes a 2 to 1 lead entering the final game of the series.
 
Aj Jones was scheduled to start the final game of the series, but had to skip the start due to a sore throwing shoulder.  Head Coach Nick Garritano decided to go with a pitching staff by committee, using multiple relief pitchers the entire game instead of a starting pitcher.  But, with all the buzz before the game regarding the pitching situation for the Coyotes, the bats came out scorching hot, scoring 7 runs in the 1^st inning.  The 7 runs were more than enough to earn the victory for the College of Southern Nevada.  The final score was Coyotes 10, Spartans 2.
 
The Coyotes' pitching staff had an outstanding series, only allowing seven runs in all four games.  As a result, CSN was able to win another home series, improving their conference record to 13-7 and their overall record to 28-12.  The second place SWAC Conference Western Nevada College Wildcats lost three out of four this weekend giving a two game lead to the College of Southern Nevada Coyotes.  The CSN Coyotes travel to Price, Utah for this week's upcoming four game series, to take on the USU Eastern Golden Eagles.
 
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.