HENDERSON, Nev. (May 11, 2021) – A popular edict in sports would say the following - 'Winning the first game of a double-elimination tournament is the start of a short pathway to success'.
 
The College of Southern Nevada softball team was paying attention to that edict Tuesday, with the Lady Coyotes earning a strong 7-3 win over the College of Southern Idaho to advance in the winners' bracket of the Region 18 tournament. CSN will now face No. 1 Salt Lake Community College in the tournament semifinals on Wednesday.
 
CSN was quick to start building momentum, thanks to Liliana Gutierrez hitting a three-run home run in the opening inning. Gutierrez continued her strong performance in the fifth inning, hitting an RBI double in the frame. Madelynn Kennedy also added an RBI triple in the fifth inning, with McKenzie Hamilton capping off the three-run inning with a sacrifice-fly RBI. Kayley Cole scored a run in the sixth inning on a fielder's choice. 
 
Kayley Cole and Mayu Nishijima both went 2-of-4 at the plate, while Gutierrez went 2-of-4 with a team-high four RBI's. Gutierrez also scored a pair of runs. Serenity Jackson earned the pitching win for Southern Nevada, throwing 6.1 innings and posting five strikeouts in the win. 
 
Southern Nevada will play Salt Lake at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday. The winner will advance to Thursday's championship game, while the loser will play in an elimination game at 4:00 p.m.