By James Hernandez

Fresh off the program's third ever trip to the Junior College World Series, the College of Southern Nevada will look to finish the fight and capture a second national title in 2018.

The "Cardiac Coyotes" featured a flair for the dramatic and resolve of a champion in 2017, producing ten comeback victories that included Region XVIII and Western District titles after dropping the opening games of both tournaments. Despite a 0-2 showing in Grand Junction, Coach Garritano and his staff return a plethora of talent that is eager to etch their names in Coyote baseball lore.

The starting rotation gets a huge shot in the arm with the additions of former Bishop Gorman and IMG Academy southpaw Matty Mitchell, 6'7" West Virginia Mountaineer transfer Ryan McDonald and one of the top true freshman recruits in the Silver State, Spring Valley graduate Nick Rupp. That trio joins ten game winner and future University of Houston Cougars commit Isaiah Blaylock, giving pitching coach Brian Gidge arguably his most talented collection of starting arms since his arrival at CSN in 2010.

Not to be outdone, "Swiss Army Knife" Joey O'Brien (University of Hawaii commit) joins future Santa Clara University Bronco Alex "Tizzy" Tisminezky and sophomore flame-thrower Herbie Good in the backend of a Coyote bullpen that has a chance to be one of the best in the NJCAA. A talented collection of freshman arms that includes Dylan Krans, Matt Gilbertson, Buddy Pindel, Jeff Borquez, Spencer Cofer, Tanner Lewis along with sophomores Jordan Wyke (SDSU transfer) and Tyce O'Neill give Southern Nevada the versatility and depth to return to Grand Junction.

"The great thing about our bullpen is that no player has a defined role, and that versatility allows us to play the matchups and ride the hot hand" raved Coach Garritano.

Slick fielding middle-infielders Beau Capanna (2B, University of New Mexico transfer) and AJ Amelburu join the pride of the 808 Jordan Macias, reigning SWAC player of the year Justin Lutes and sophomore standout Michael Camburn in what looks to be the premier starting infield in a very talented Scenic West Athletic Conference. "As long as our sophomores lead by example and continue to play for the name on the front of the jersey and not the back we are going to be in good shape" Coach Garritano said.

The Southern Nevada outfield will have a drastically different look after replacing all three starters from 2017 with centerfielder Jarrett Perns moving onto BYU, right fielder Christian Maggi joining the Creighton Blue Jays and left fielder Blake Wiggins being drafted this past summer by the Cincinnati Reds.

Matt Wong, a five-tool prospect from Hawaii's famed Saint Louis High School has the inside track on not only the starting center field spot, but potentially hitting cleanup as well. Despite some tough competition from players like Chase Cortez, JD Brooks and Wyatt Featherson the corner outfield spots appear to be locked down by a pair of returning sophomores.

Joey O'Brien and Peyton Koopman appear destined for those starting spots after impressive fall campaigns that proved the two can be consistent run producers throughout the year. Newcomers Hunter Heugly, Jay DeSoto, Nick "Chewy" Hernandez and Roger Riley give the team the kind of offensive and defensive versatility that will allow CSN to adapt to any style of play they encounter throughout the season.

After speaking with Coach Garritano extensively, it's apparent that the rallying cry of "unfinished business" echoes throughout this team, from the coaching staff all the way down to the final player on the roster. "The fire burns to return to Grand Junction, and hopefully the 2018 season will bring us the strength, desire and work ethic to earn another opportunity to play for a national championship"- Coach Nick Garritano.

Fans your Coyotes are one week away from opening night as they add another chapter to one of the premier rivalries in the NJCAA when they throw down with the Central Arizona College Vaqueros on Friday January 26^th.

For a complete rundown of the season schedule and team roster please log onto www.csncoyotes.com or follow us on Twitter @CSN_Baseball and Facebook CSNCoyotes.