HENDERSON, Nev. (May 9, 2019) – The No. 7 College of Southern Nevada baseball team took a step towards earning a Region 18 title on Thursday, picking up a first-round win over Colorado Northwestern Community College.
 
The Coyotes, who entered the tournament as the top-seed thanks to a late flurry of wins in the regular season, earned a 4-1 win over CNCC to advance to Friday's semifinals against the winner of a game between Salt Lake Community College and Southern Idaho. The win boosts Southern Nevada's overall record to 42-10. 
 
After beating USU Eastern in a play-in game earlier in the day, CNCC entered the game with momentum and took a 1-0 lead in the fourth. CSN responded to the early run with spirit, scoring three runs in the fourth inning to take a 3-1 lead.
 
First, Nick Hernandez doubled down the left-field line to tie the game at 1-1, followed by AJ Amelburu's RBI single that gave Southern Nevada its first lead. Roger Riley, an All-Region 18 catcher, added to the tally with a bunt-single that scored Hernandez. Steven Rivas also scored on a wild-pitch in the fifth inning. 
 
Rivas and Amelburu both went 2-of-4 in the game, with Rivas also scoring a pair of runs. Matt Gilbertson earned the pitching victory with a complete game of nine innings and allowing just three hits. The win improved his record to 9-1. 
 
Southern Nevada will play at 12:00 p.m. on Friday at Morse Stadium. An updated bracket can be found at scenicwestsports.com. CNCC will play the loser of the SLCC/CSI game at 3:30 p.m. tomorrow.