By James Hernandez

The Lady Coyotes hit the road for the first time in three weeks looking to snap the team's nine game losing streak as they prepared to battle Snow College in Ephraim, Utah after splitting their previous series with the Badgers last month in Southern Nevada.

Lindsey Daron (4-8) began the weekend in the circle for Southern Nevada and was opposed by Snow's Sydni Sorensen (6-4). The Badgers ambushed the Lady Coyotes early, plating a total of six runs in the team's first two opportunities to swing the bats. Despite facing a six run deficit, CSN battled back thanks to some timely offense in the fourth and fifth innings. Sabrina Saldate tripled home a pair of runs in the top of the fourth inning to cut the Badgers lead to 6-4. Daryan Meade and Haleigh Olive plated one run apiece in the top of the fifth inning to knot the score up 6-6. Unfortunately Southern Nevada would surrender a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth inning that would seal their fate in this series opener. Snow College edged Southern Nevada 8-6 in game one of the weekend, dropping CSN to 8-13 in SWAC play and 11-20 overall.

Following fourteen runs tallied in the opener, starting pitchers Kristie Thomas and Riley Cleverly settled in for an old-fashioned pitcher's duel. Both starters were effective early as offense was at a premium for both sides. The Badgers built a 3-0 after three innings thanks to RBI's off the bats of Sarah Sandberg, Tori Bills and Sydnie Wilson. Cleverly was on point through four shutout innings and her only blemish was a RBI she surrendered to CSN's leading run producer Kianna Burnett in the top of the fifth inning. That was the only run the Lady Coyotes would tally as the fell to the badgers 3-1 in game two of the series. The loss dropped CSN to 8-14 in conference and 11-21 overall.

Fresh off her 1-run complete game gem, Riley Cleverly was back in the circle Saturday morning looking to secure the series victory after both teams split earlier this season in Henderson, Nevada. Team RBI leader Kiana Burnett (42 RBI) and Sabrina Saldate gave CSN its first lead of the weekend in the top of the first inning with some clutch at-bats to grab a 2-0 advantage. The Badgers rallied to plate the next eight runs of the game, courtesy of multiple-run innings in the bottom of the first, third and sixth innings. Sabrina Saldate found her second run batted in of the contest and fourth in three games, however it was not enough to beat the Badgers. Snow dropped CSN for the third time of the series 8-3, sending the Lady Coyotes to a 12th straight defeat as the team fell to 8-15 in the SWAC and 11-22 overall.

The final game of the series saw an offensive explosion by both teams as the Badgers and Coyotes combined to plate 21 runs on 22 hits. CSN was on fire early, plating eight runs in the game's first two innings. Daryan Meade singled home a pair of runs in the top of the first inning and Haley Kassel deposited a 2-run round tripper over the left field wall to extend CSN's lead to 5-0. Kiana Burnett, Haleigh Olive and Sabrina Saldate extended the Lady Coyotes advantage to 8-0 with one run batted in apiece in the top of the second as the lead ballooned to 8-0. Riley Stookey and Burnett plated a pair of runs in the top of the third as they took a 10-3 lead heading into the bottom of the third inning. Sadly, CSN's lead would evaporate quicker then water under the desert heat. The Badgers rallied to plate eight unanswered runs to stun the Lady Coyotes 11-10 and sweep this crucial SWAC series.

Fans your Lady Coyotes will be back home April 13^th and 14^th to host the CNCC Spartans on "Sophomore Weekend." For game times and ticketing options log onto www.csncoyotes.com or follow us on Twitter @CSN_Softball and Facebook CSNCoyotes.