Box Score

The College of Southern Nevada Coyotes and the Trinidad State Junior College Trojans square off for the second time of the Western District Playoffs, this time in an elimination game
 
By Harrison Howard/csncoyotes.com
May 15, 2015
 
Las Vegas, NV- After a late inning loss to the Yavapai College Roughriders earlier in the day, the College of Southern Nevada Coyotes face the Trinidad State Junior College Trojans in an elimination game.  The winner of the matchup will advance to the Western District Championship Bracket, and the loser will be eliminated from the playoffs.  These two teams faced off earlier in the tournament, where the Coyotes won the affair 15 to seven, in seven innings.  The man on the hill for the Trojans this evening will be Izar Mendez.  The Coyotes will call upon pitcher Nate Bennett, who made his first start of the season last weekend in the Region 18 Championship.  Bennett had his best outing of the season throwing seven innings, allowing two runs, on eight hits, while striking out two hitters.  Nate Bennett will try to duplicate his previous performance and advance his Coyotes to the final round of the Western District Playoff Tournament. 
 
The CSN Coyotes lost the coin flip, allowing the TSJC Trojans to be the home team for the game.  The Coyotes took advantage of batting first and jumped out to an early lead, after a three run home run taken off the score board by designated hitter Kayden Porter.  Nate Bennett pitched a quick two innings allowing only one hit, striking out three batters, but most importantly not allowing a run to score.  In the bottom of the third inning a lead off single to center field by Trojans' first base man Caden Pratt and the throwing error by Coyotes' center fielder Kenny Meimerstorf allowed the leadoff runner to advance to third base.  After a fly out to shallow center field, leadoff hitter Cruz Nevarez flew out to right field.  Pratt attempted to score on the fly ball out, but Coyotes' right field Gerald Robins threw him out at home ending the inning without allowing a run to score, keeping the score three to zero in favor of the Coyotes. 
 
CSN Coyotes' first baseman hit a solo home run in the top of the fourth inning, increasing their lead to four runs.  The Coyotes' bats weren't finished scoring this inning just yet.  Starting left fielder Matt Waldren doubled down the right field line, followed by a double down the left field line by third baseman Jose Verdugo, giving the Coyotes the five to zero lead over the Trojans.  The TSJC Trojans starting pitcher Izar Mendez's night was done and he was replaced by relief pitcher Cam Baird.  Baird was able to calm the storm created by the Coyotes and finish the inning off without allowing anymore runs to come across the board.
 
The first runs scored since the top of the fourth inning came in the top of the eighth inning from the CSN Coyotes.  Third baseman Jose Verdugo singled down the left field line scoring both Ali Deolarte and Matt Waldren, increasing their lead to seven runs.  Later in the inning, Cain Brady singled to the left side scoring their eighth run of the ball game, putting the run rule in effect if the Coyotes could shut out the Trojans in the bottom of the eighth inning.
 
Coyotes' starting pitcher Nate Bennett wasn't able to complete the game and was relieved in the bottom of the eighth inning by Brett Bovee, after allowing two baserunners aboard.  Bovee struck out the first two hitters he faced, but allowed a RBI single up the middle by third baseman Alex Dominguez, adjusting the score to eight to one in favor of the Coyotes.  Bovee struck out the next batter ending the inning, but the Trojans were able to extend the game to the ninth inning with their run scored. 
 
Bovee stayed in the game to pitch the final three outs of the ball game.  Bovee cruised through the bottom of the ninth inning without giving up a run, solidifying the victory for the CSN Coyotes eight to one.  Nate Bennett earned his sixth win on the season, throwing seven innings, allowing one run, on seven hits and one walk, while breaking his single game strikeout record with 10.  Brett Bovee pitched two solid innings, only allowing one hit, while striking out five batters. 
 
After their victory tonight, the College of Southern Nevada Coyotes advanced to the championship bracket to face off against the undefeated Yavapai College Roughriders.  The Coyotes will have to beat the Roughriders twice tomorrow to win the Western District Championship and advance to the NJCAA Junior College World Series next weekend.  The Yavapai College Roughriders only need one victory to claim the championship.  The first game is scheduled for noon tomorrow, with the second game scheduled for 3:30 pm, if necessary. 
 
For the latest news, the complete 2015 Coyote postseason baseball schedule, including the Western District Playoff Tournament, and more of my articles covering each playoff series, please visit www.csncoyotes.com.  Follow us on Twitter @CSNCoyotes, for live scoring updates and in game tweets.