HENDERSON, Nev. (May 11, 2021) – The regular-season didn't end the way the College of Southern Nevada baseball team wanted, but that doesn't mean the Coyotes are done.
 
Instead, CSN has a breath of new life as the program hosts the remainder of the Scenic West Athletic Conference in this week's Region 18 tournament at Morse Stadium. The Coyotes are the tournament's No. 2 seed, thanks to falling shy of the league's title by percentage points. 
 
However, in advance of a 7:00 p.m. start on Thursday against Southern Idaho, Southern Nevada coach Nick Garritano said his team is prepared to start the grind of the three-day tournament.
 
"A while back when the (Scenic West athletic directors) met to talk about pre–determined sites for all sports due to COVID, and (CSN Athletic Director Dexter Irvin said) we were hosting baseball, it was a very exciting moment," said Garritano. "We have traditionally played much better at home. We feel very fortunate to not win the league this year but have the opportunity to continue our season on our home field."
 
The format of the tournament is double-elimination, with the winner of the CSN-CSI game advancing to a winners' bracket semifinal on Friday at 12:00 p.m. With the loser of Thursday's games having to play doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday to earn the Region title, the importance of Thursday's games is high.
 
"For any team in a very short tourney, winning the first game is crucial," he said. "It is a long road back if you are on the wrong end of the first game of the tourney. Losing forces you to win back-to-back doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday to keep your season alive.  I'm pretty sure that every team in the tourney is going to do everything they can to win game one."
 
Southern Nevada had a mark of 8-3 against Southern Idaho during the season, setting up a competitive game in the tournament opener.
 
"CSI is a very talented club that has an incredible pitching staff and hitters up and down the line that can really do some damage," Garritano said. "(The CSI coaches) do an excellent job with their club and it is anticipated to be a great opening round game."
 
In the meantime, knowing a grind exists ahead this weekend, Garritano said his team will focus on rest, nutrition and fundamentals in their preparation this week.
 
"It all starts with proper hydration early in the week," he said. "At this point in the year, players either know the system or you don't; nothing magic is going to happen in 48 hours.  Simply, fine-tuning what you do on a daily basis is the key. 
 
"The postseason is always the most fun time of the year. This is why we coach and this is why we play.  Everyone is 0-0 going into Thursday and this tournament, in my opinion, can be the most competitive tourney in the past 10 years when it comes to Region XVIII."