By James Hernandez 

The Coyotes welcomed first place and 15^th ranked Southern Idaho into the "Den" as both teams concluded its Scenic West Athletic Conference regular season schedule. The Golden Eagles began play Friday needing just one victory to secure its first SWAC regular season crown in twenty years.

Game one began with a pair of aces on the mound as the Golden Eagles ran out potential 2018 SWAC pitcher of the year Dylan Steen (7-1) and the Coyotes countered with "Swiss Army Knife" Joey O'Brien (5-3). Both starters came out of the dugout pounding the strike zone, combining to fan ten batters in the series opener. A costly error by O'Brien on a bunted baseball in the top of the second inning allowed CSI to plate the first run of the game. Travis Bohall singled home the Golden Eagles second run of the game in that same inning, staking the potential SWAC pitcher of the year to a 2-0 advantage. That was all Steen would need as he held down the Southern Nevada lineup all afternoon. Hits off the bats of Jordan Macias and Joey O'Brien were the only thing separating Dylan Steen from a no-no. CSI outdueled CSN 2-0 to secure the 2018 SWAC regular season crown. The loss dropped the Coyotes to 15-14 in conference play and 33-18 overall.

After claiming the series opener the Golden Eagles looked to win its 6^th game versus the College of Southern Nevada, for the first time since Nick Garritano's arrival in 2010. A suddenly dormant Coyotes offense was scuffling, not plating a run in the team's last ten innings of play. The drought continued as three CSI arms combined on a complete game shutout. Jordan Macias and Justin Lutes both had multi-hit games, but CSN was unable to dent the scoreboard as they were held scoreless for the second straight game. Southern Idaho defeated Southern Nevada 3-0 in game two, sending the Coyotes to 15-15 in SWAC play and 33-19 overall.

Following an emotional "Sophomore Day" ceremony prior to game three of the weekend, the Coyotes were determined to defeat the Golden Eagles for the first time in 2018. Despite the scoreless innings streak reaching a mind-blowing 23 innings, Southern Nevada scratched and clawed to remain in the game. After CSI plated a pair of runs in the top of the second inning, we needed someone to step up offensively and a sophomore transfer was ready to answer the bell. Former Western Kentucky Hilltopper and future Washburn University baseball commit Wyatt Featherston stepped up to the dish with runners on first and second. Wyatt crushed the third pitch he saw over the left-centerfield wall to give the Coyotes 3-2 edge, its first of the weekend. A wild pitch in the bottom of the fifth inning allowed Herbie Good to touch home and extend CSN's lead to 4-2.

Southern Idaho fought back to plate single runs in the top of the sixth and seventh innings, knotting the game up 4-4. Matt Gilbertson came out of the pen for the Coyotes and fired four clutch innings of relief that included 5 punch-outs and just one earned run. Gilby secured his fifth victory of the season after Wyatt Featherston kept the Coyotes alive in the bottom of the tenth with an RBI single, setting the stage for a CSN walk-off in the 11^th. Joey O'Brien singled home Jordan Macias to give the Coyotes a thrilling 6-5 victory in 11 innings. The win elevated Southern Nevada to 16-15 in conference play and 34-19 overall.

The objective for both teams in the regular season finale was simple, survive the game without any significant injuries to your core group of players. Despite the game meaning very little to the final standings both teams played this one close to the vest, exchanging leads all afternoon. CSN entered the bottom of the fifth inning clinging to a 4-3 lead, however a five run bottom half of the inning propelled the Coyotes into the winner's circle. Sophomore outfielder Trevor Jackson led the team with a pair of runs batted in, followed by single RBI's off the bats of Jordan Macias, Wyatt Featherston and Hunter Heugly. Spencer Cofer earned his first victory of the year after allowing just a pair of runs over his three innings of work. The victory secured another winning SWAC season at 17-15 and improved its overall record to 35-19.

Fans your Coyotes will battle the Bruins Thursday May 10^th to open up Region XVIII tournament play. For game times and a complete breakdown of the Region 18 tournament bracket log onto www.csncoyotes.com or follow us on Twitter @CSN_Baseball and Facebook CSNCoyotes.