HENDERSON, Nev. (February 26, 2020) – After a long preseason, the College of Southern Nevada baseball team will open Scenic West Athletic Conference play this weekend.
 
The Coyotes, who went 13-8 in the preseason, will face off against the College of Southern Idaho in a four-game series at Morse Stadium this weekend, opening their annual quest towards regional dominance. CSN won the Scenic West regular-season title last year, along with earning the Region 18 championship.
 
After an up-and-down preseason, CSN coach Nick Garritano said his players are ready to move on to the challenge of conference play.
 
"Any club in America always gets excited about the start of conference play," he said. "We are no different.  It simply gives you a chance to start over to a certain degree.  We have talked to our club about this being the starting point to our first goal, like everyone else in the SWAC.
 
Southern Idaho will provide a stiff test to open league play. The Golden Eagles have gone 8-5 in their preseason play and are on a five-game winning streak thanks to a series sweep of the University of Calgary.
 
Garritano said Southern Idaho is a complete ballclub.
 
"CSI traditionally has always pitched the baseball extremely well; this year is no different," he said. "They are extremely athletic on the defensive side and at the plate.  We expect four highly competitive games. 
 
"Taking care of the baseball and limiting free passes will be the keys to the pitching and defensive sides.  We must limit our free, non-productive outs on the offensive side to be successful as well."
 
The Coyotes and Golden Eagles will play a four-game series at Morse Stadium this weekend. The teams will open the series with a single game on Thursday at 6:00 p.m., with a doubleheader at 2:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Friday. The pair will conclude the series with an 11:00 a.m. game on Saturday.