HENDERSON, Nev. (January 27, 2023) – It is a rite of passage that the College of Southern Nevada Softball team brings in some of the NJCAA's best programs for a preseason tournament.
 
What CSN is hopeful becomes a rite of passage is success in that tournament, which the Lady Coyotes experienced in their 2023 season openers as part of the 'CSN Kickoff Classic Presented By: Silver State Schools Credit Union'. Southern Nevada posted a 2-1 record in the first day of the tournament, falling 11-9 to Central Arizona to open the day, then picking up a 7-2 win against Arizona Western. The Lady Coyotes closed with an 11-4 win against Chandler-Gilbert Community College.
 
Southern Nevada will play three more games on Saturday, facing off against Central Arizona, Pima Community College and Glendale Community College.
 
Central Arizona 11, Southern Nevada 9: A strong CSN start didn't hold up to a late Central Arizona scoring rally.
 
CSN posted seven runs in the first inning, with Cynthia Avillar hitting a two-run home run. Kayley Cole also hit a three-run triple in the inning. Mia Elicerio hit an RBI double in the fourth inning to key a rally that tied the game at 9-9, prior to Central Arizona scoring two late runs.
 
Jocelyn Shupp went 3-of-4 to lead the Lady Coyotes at the plate. Alivia Parks earned the pitching loss, with Laynee Anzalone earning a no-decision in a start. Anzalone had ten strikeouts. 
 
Southern Nevada 7, Arizona Western 2: A pair of multi-run innings powered the Lady Coyotes to a win.
 
Caitlin Covington hit a two-run home run in the third inning to boost CSN to a 3-0 lead, then Mia Elicerio and Jocelyn Shupp both hit home runs. Covington, Elicerio and Miranda Garcia all went 2-of-3 at the plate in the game.
 
Southern Nevada 11, Glendale 4: A pair of five-run innings lifted the Lady Coyotes to a winning record on the day.
 
Trailing 4-0 entering the third inning, the Lady Coyotes posted five runs in the frame, keyed by a two-run home run by Caitlin Covington. Leading 6-4 entering the fifth inning, CSN scored five more runs as Jocelyn Shupp hit a two-run home run.
 
Covington was 4-of-5 at the plate to lead Southern Nevada, hitting a pair of home runs. Hannah Mearideth was 2-of-2. Lyndsey Anzalone earned the pitching win, tossing eight strikeouts.