HENDERSON, NV — The College of Southern Nevada Coyotes enhanced their stellar season record to 36-10 after overcoming the GateWay Community College Geckos in a hard-fought 8-4 victory at Morse Stadium. The game, which kicked off a two-game series, displayed the Coyotes' resilience and depth, particularly in their bullpen.
GateWay opened the scoring in the second inning, putting up three runs to take an early lead. The Coyotes responded with two runs in the bottom of the same inning, setting the tone for a competitive clash. The crucial moment came in the third inning when the Coyotes took the lead with three runs, highlighted by a key triple from Kaiden Smaka that drove in three runs, showcasing CSN's timely hitting.
Mayson Reichartz, pitching in relief for the Coyotes, delivered a standout performance, throwing three scoreless innings and stabilizing the game to earn his third win of the season (3-0). His efforts were crucial in keeping the Geckos at bay as the Coyotes' offense built a lead.
The Geckos struggled to capitalize on their opportunities, despite accumulating seven hits and drawing five walks. Zac Wroble, the starting pitcher for GateWay, was charged with the loss, dropping his record to 0-5 for the season after surrendering five runs over 3.2 innings.
The Coyotes' offense was powered by Ashton Zacher, who not only provided solid hits but also showcased power with a home run that extended their lead in the later innings. Additionally, Roy Durham and Kaiden Smaka contributed significantly with multiple hits, helping to cement the lead for CSN.
Defensively, both teams had moments they'd prefer to forget, with the Coyotes committing two errors and the Geckos one. However, the Coyotes' ability to execute in clutch situations, both at the plate and on the mound, proved the difference in this contest.
The game concluded with the Coyotes pulling away with two more runs in the eighth inning, ensuring their victory ahead of the series finale. As CSN continues to build momentum, they look poised to maintain their strong performance through the remainder of the season, with eyes firmly set on postseason aspirations.
