HENDERSON, Nev. (May 1, 2025) — Powered by a pair of explosive innings and timely hitting from the heart of the lineup, the College of Southern Nevada Coyotes rallied past Yavapai College, 13-8, in Game One of the Region 1 Baseball Semifinal series Thursday afternoon at Morse Stadium. The win pushes CSN to 44-10 on the season and gives them a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three playoff set.

The Roughriders built an early 4-1 lead through five and a half innings before CSN's offense came alive with five runs in the bottom of the sixth and seven more in the seventh.

Redshirt freshman outfielder Chaz McNelis led the Coyote attack, finishing 3-for-5 with a triple, two doubles, four RBIs, and a stolen base. His two-run triple in the sixth gave CSN its first lead of the game, and he added a two-run double in the seventh to help break the game open.

Freshman infielder Harvey Smerdon chipped in with two hits, including a two-run double in the seventh, and drove in three runs on the day. Sophomore first baseman Roy Durham delivered a 4-for-5 performance with two runs and an RBI. Redshirt sophomore Jack Wheatley added a bases-clearing double in the sixth to tie the game at four.

Yavapai pushed back with two runs in the top of the seventh to momentarily knot the score at 6-6, but CSN responded emphatically. Redshirt freshman catcher Anthony Marnell IV tripled to score Smerdon and put CSN back in front. Durham's RBI single and back-to-back two-run doubles from McNelis and Smerdon highlighted the seven-run outburst.

On the mound, sophomore right-hander Kaden Soder started and went 5.1 innings, allowing four earned runs on nine hits. Redshirt freshman Evan Festa and sophomore Simon Lemke followed in relief before sophomore Kody Bialas (3-0) earned the win, recording two key outs in the seventh. Sophomore Seth Graham-Pippin and redshirt freshman Boston Jensen closed out the final two innings.

Yavapai collected 12 hits and scored twice in both the seventh and eighth, but CSN's relievers held firm when it mattered most. Roughrider starter Chase Adams allowed five runs in 5.2 innings, and reliever Cade Blease (1-3) took the loss after surrendering three runs in the sixth.

Game Two of the Region 1 Semifinals is scheduled for Friday at 3:00 p.m. at Morse Stadium. With a win, the Coyotes can punch their ticket to the Region 1 Championship Series. A Yavapai victory would force a decisive Game Three on Saturday.