Box Score
With both teams officially advancing to the district playoffs, today's matchup between the CSN Coyotes and the SLCC Bruins determines home field advantage for the district playoffs
 
By Harrison Howard/csncoyotes.com
May 9, 2015  
 
Las Vegas, NV- The top two seeds of the Region 18 playoff tournament advanced to the double-elimination championship bracket.  The CSN Coyotes defeated both of their opponents, SLCC Bruins being one of them, earlier in the playoffs.  The SLCC Bruins had a much longer travel to the championship bracket, winning their first game against WNC Wildcats, then losing the next game to the CSN Coyotes, followed by two must win games against the CSI Golden Eagles and again the WNC Wildcats.  The Bruins will have to win back to back games today against the Coyotes to win the Region 18 Championship, due to the double-elimination style setting.  The Coyotes only need one victory today to be able to declare themselves Region 18 Champions.  Anytime there's a championship decided between the top two seeds, means we should be in for a well fought battle from both sides. 
 
The Salt Lake Community College Bruins decided to start pitcher Lincoln Clayton, who has appeared in 14 games, while only receiving six starts on the season.  Clayton has thrown 37.2 innings, posting a 3.82 ERA, with a record of four and one record during the regular season.  The College of Southern Nevada Coyotes' starting pitcher for game #7 of the Region 18 Playoffs, Anthony Martine, has a five and three record, with an ERA of 2.78, in 68 innings pitched over the regular season.
 
The Coyotes were the first to strike with back to back doubles in the bottom of the second inning from designated hitter Mason Hayes and first baseman Ali Deolarte, giving them a one to zero lead.  Bruins starting pitcher, Lincoln Clayton, received some much needed help from his starting catcher, Joe Barlow, who picked off Deolarte on third base, limiting the damage to just the one run.  Anthony Martine pitched a perfect three up, three down, shutdown inning in the top of the third inning, keeping the Coyotes ahead by one run.  Clayton allowed a hit in each of the next two innings, but was able to get out of each inning unscathed. 
 
In the bottom of the fifth inning with two outs and a runner on second, the Bruins decided to intentionally walk Coyotes' left handed bat, Jesse Keiser, to utilize the righty, righty matchup and face Kenny Meimerstorf.  Bruins brought in relief pitcher Chase Tavonatti to face Meimerstorf, who successfully forced an inning ending popup to shortstop, keeping the score three to one, CSN Coyotes.  The Bruins' bats came alive in the top of the sixth inning with three runs scored on three hits and one walk, all coming off Martine.  Coyotes' pitcher, Josh Nuernberg, came in relief of Martine, attempting to weather the storm before this game got out of hand.  Nuernberg was able to get out of the inning without allowing anymore damage to occur, keeping the score three to one, Bruins. 
 
The SLCC Bruins' offense wasn't finished just let, scoring another three runs in the top of the seventh inning, behind four hits and one error, off of both Coyotes' pitchers, Nuernberg and Brett Bovee.  The Coyotes' pitching struggles continued in the top of the eighth inning, where they allowed three straight two out singles, scoring another run, giving the Bruins a seven to one lead.  Later in the inning, the Bruins executed a perfect double steal, allowing their eighth run of the game to score. 
Tensions began to rise after an aggressive tag out at home plate by Coyotes' catcher Reece Lucero.  As a result, benches cleared and a shouting match from both teams began.  The umpires were able to break up the escalation, returning both teams to their dugouts without any ejections necessary.  Bruins relief pitcher Tavonatti continued his dominance of the Coyotes hitters, finishing the ninth inning without allowing a baserunner aboard the entire four and one third innings he pitched.  Bruins defeated the Coyotes with a final score of eight to one.  The championship game of the Region 18 Playoff Tournament will began at 3:15 pm, between these same two teams. 
 
For the latest news, the complete 2015 Coyote postseason 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.