THATCHER, AZ (April 25, 2025) —The College of Southern Nevada Coyotes used a furious late rally, scoring 13 runs across the final three innings to power past Eastern Arizona College, 14-8, on Friday afternoon at 615 North Stadium Avenue. With the victory, CSN improves to 42-10 overall and 26-9 in ACCAC conference play.
Trailing 2-1 through six innings, the Coyotes' offense exploded in the seventh. Chaz McNelis delivered the big blow, blasting a three-run home run to right field that gave CSN the lead. Moments later, Roy Durham lifted a sacrifice fly and Brandon Swanson lined an RBI single to right, stretching the Coyotes' advantage to 6-2.
In the eighth, McNelis continued his monster day, connecting for his second home run — another shot to right — driving in two more. Harvey Smerdon added a single and scored on an RBI base hit from Ashton Zacher, pushing the Coyotes in front 9-2.
The ninth inning saw CSN break it wide open. Matthew Ramirez singled and scored, setting up Jaxson Reiser who smashed a two-run triple into the left-center gap. Matthew Ziroli followed with an RBI single, Durham doubled to center field, and Zacher added a sacrifice fly to cap a five-run frame, making it 14-3.
Eastern Arizona mounted a late rally in the ninth, scoring five runs on seven hits, including a two-run homer by Ryan Devander and an RBI double by Ethan Steenbakk, but CSN's lead was too much to overcome.
Offensively, CSN racked up 17 hits. McNelis finished 2-for-4 with five RBIs and two home runs. Swanson went 3-for-5 with two RBIs, Smerdon posted a 3-for-5 day and scored three runs, and Durham tallied two hits and drove in two runs. Ramirez had a two-hit performance, while Reiser and Ziroli provided big hits off the bench.
On the mound, Chase Frey got the start and worked four innings, allowing two runs while striking out five. Tyler Avery followed with three scoreless innings, picking up the win and striking out five. Logan Smith finished the final two innings, closing the door despite a spirited rally from Eastern Arizona.
The Coyotes will go for the series sweep on Saturday as they continue their strong run toward the postseason.
