HENDERSON, NV (May 8, 2025) — In a dramatic postseason opener at Morse Stadium, the #1 seed College of Southern Nevada Coyotes delivered a thrilling walk-off victory over the #3 seed Central Arizona Vaqueros, 5-4, to take game one of the NJCAA Region 1 Championship best-of-three series.
After trailing 4-3 heading into the bottom of the ninth, the Coyotes showed their trademark resilience, capitalizing on a pair of hit batters, an error, and a pair of clutch base hits to complete the comeback and remain one win away from advancing to the Western District Tournament.
Central Arizona struck first with a run in the opening frame, capitalizing on a hit-by-pitch, walk, and an RBI plunking of outfielder Max Stagg. The Vaqueros tacked on another in the second when David Ballenill singled and scored on a right-side base knock by designated hitter Tyree Reed.
The Coyotes responded quickly in the bottom of the second.
Roy Durham singled to lead off, followed by a base hit from
Ashton Zacher. After loading the bases, CSN got on the board when
Jack Wheatley lifted a sacrifice fly to score Zacher and cut the deficit to 2-1.
The teams remained deadlocked until the bottom of the fifth, when
Kaiden Smaka led off with a single and stole second. Wheatley and
Alex Rhynes executed a perfect sacrifice to move runners, and
Harvey Smerdon's RBI single to right tied the game at 2-2.
The Coyotes took their first lead of the game in the sixth when Durham led off the inning with a towering solo home run to right field, energizing the home crowd and pushing CSN ahead 3-2. Zacher followed with another single, and the Coyotes nearly added more, but the Vaqueros' defense held.
CSN starter
Kaden Soder was strong through 6.1 innings, striking out eight and allowing just two runs on three hits. He worked out of multiple early jams before handing the ball to
Evan Festa in the seventh, who preserved the lead with a scoreless inning of relief.
Trailing by a run in their final at-bat, Central Arizona refused to go quietly. A throwing error allowed the leadoff man to reach, and pinch runner Ty Silva advanced to third on a wild pitch. Easton Rulli delivered a game-tying RBI single up the middle, later scoring the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly from Zach Wadas.
Now trailing 4-3, the Coyotes faced Central Arizona reliever Colton LaFave in the bottom of the ninth. After Wheatley was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a throwing error, Rhynes was also plunked, putting two on with no outs.
Chaz McNelis came through with a line drive RBI single to right, plating pinch runner
Jake Gorrell to tie the game at 4-4.
With the momentum fully on CSN's side, Central Arizona turned to a new arm in Mason Metz, but Smerdon delivered again—lining a single to right to score Rhynes and give the Coyotes the walk-off win in front of a raucous home crowd.
Stat Leaders – College of Southern Nevada (46-11)
- Roy Durham: 2-for-4, HR, RBI, 2 R
- Harvey Smerdon: 2-for-5, 2 RBI
- Ashton Zacher: 2-for-4, R
- Chaz McNelis: 1-for-4, RBI, R
- Jack Wheatley: 1-for-1, RBI, SF, BB, HBP
- Winning Pitcher: Seth Graham-Pippin (1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R [1 ER], 1 K)
Kaden Soder delivered another postseason-quality start with 6.1 innings of work, scattering three hits and striking out eight.
Evan Festa tossed a scoreless 7th, and
Seth Graham-Pippin, despite allowing two runs in the ninth, picked up the win (3-0) after the Coyotes' dramatic rally.
Central Arizona starter Kai Fyke was sharp through 8.0 innings, allowing just three earned runs on seven hits while striking out nine. LaFave took the loss, unable to record an out after hitting two batters and allowing the game-tying run. Metz allowed the final blow from Smerdon in his brief relief outing.
Game two of the Region 1 Championship series continues Friday, May 9 at 3:00 p.m. at Morse Stadium. The Coyotes will look to close out the series and secure a spot in the NJCAA Western District Tournament. If necessary, game three will be played Saturday at 12:00 p.m.
With Thursday's win, CSN improves to 46-11 on the season and is now one victory away from capturing the Region 1 title.
