By James Hernandez

The Ashley Johnston era began this past weekend as the sixth coach in the College of Southern Nevada Softball program history began her quest to duplicate her past success at other stops and turn these Lady Coyotes into perennial contenders.

Sophomore returning wins leader Kristie Thomas was the choice in the circle for Coach Johnston to open the season as CSN looked to defeat Eastern Arizona College and win its second home opener in three seasons at Lady Coyote Softball Field. After trading runs in the first inning courtesy of a Breanna Alvarez RBI double, the Gila Monsters took the early lead by scoring 3 unanswered runs. Despite only having nine outs to work with trailing 4-1, this young group of Lady Coyotes found a way to rally back into the game. Patricia Galtieri plated three runs for CSN in a five-run sixth inning that saw the Southern Nevada surge past Eastern Arizona and claim a 7-5 edge. Newcomer Karen Hernandez entered the circle and despite surrendering one run, was able to nail down the save and secure a 7-6 victory in Coach Johnston's Southern Nevada debut.

Game two on Friday afternoon featured Karen Hernandez in the circle fresh off her first collegiate save versus the Pima Community College Aztecs. The Aztecs wasted little time asserting its dominance, chasing Hernandez after just two innings of work and plating seven runs in the process. Alyssa Trujillo and Elise Bush were the only Lady Coyotes to produce RBI's as the offense was held to just two runs and five hits over five innings. Pima CC plated another six total runs in the fifth and sixth innings to complete a dominant 13-2 run rule victory over Southern Nevada. The loss dropped CSN to 1-1 on the young season.

The final game of opening day presented another tough challenge for CSN as they welcomed in the #18 ranked Yavapai College Roughriders. Both teams broke out the heavy lumber in this one, trading crooked numbers throughout the contest. Clutch RBI's from Bailey Pepper, Elise Bush, Alexis Vigil, Alyssa Trujillo and Kayla Bello helped the Lady Coyotes establish a 7-3 lead heading onto the top of the fifth inning. Unfortunately for this young CSN group, the wheels came off in a top of the fifth that saw the Roughriders plate ten runs. Southern Nevada fought for all 21 outs, but fell short in a 15-10 slugfest. The loss dropped the Lady Coyotes to 1-2 in 2019.

Following a 1-2 opening day the Lady Coyotes welcomed in its fourth consecutive opponent from the Grand Canyon State as Central Arizona College stepped onto Lady Coyote Softball Field. The Lady Vaqueras struck for six runs in the first four innings against CSN starter Kayla Bello to establish a five run advantage 6-1. Once again this young group of Lady Coyotes picked itself off the mat and rallied to cut CAC's advantage to 8-7 heading into the top of the sixth inning. Sabrina Saldate paced CSN with a team-high 3 RBI's, followed by Alexis Vigil who came in with a pair of her own. Unfortunately Central Arizona padded its lead with a pair of runs in the top of the seventh and held on for a 10-8 victory. The loss dropped CSN to 1-3 on the year.

Breanna Alvarez got the start in the finale of the 2019 Kickoff Classic as Southern Nevada battled the Arizona Western College Matadors. Alvarez had a rough collegiate debut in the circle, surrendering eight runs in her first three innings of work, putting CSN in an 8-1 hole. Sabrina Saldate, Brianna Hernandez and Breanna Alvarez were able to contribute one RBI apiece, but unfortunately that early seven run deficit was too much to overcome. The Lady Mats held on to defeat the Lady Coyotes 9-4. With the loss Southern Nevada fell to 1-4, despite competing favorably in four of the five contests over opening weekend.

Fans your Lady Coyotes will be on the road in Yuma, Arizona Thursday January 31^st-Saturday February 2^nd to participate in the 2019 Great Western Shootout. For a complete rundown of matchups, game times and score updates all weekend log onto www.csncoyotes.com or follow us on Facebook CSNCoyotes and Twitter @CSN_Softball.