THATCHER, AZ (May 9, 2025) — The College of Southern Nevada Lady Coyotes battled for eight innings in their Region 1 Championship tournament opener but came up short, falling 6-4 in extra innings to Arizona Western College on Friday morning at Eastern Arizona College. With the loss, CSN moves to 26-24 overall and will now face the loser of the Eastern Arizona vs. Yavapai matchup in a 1:00 p.m. elimination game later today.

CSN, the No. 2 seed in the tournament, held a narrow 4-3 lead heading into the sixth inning before the Matadors tied the game and eventually plated two runs in the eighth to secure the win. Despite outhitting CSN 12-6, Arizona Western left 13 runners stranded and committed two errors, but timely hitting in extra innings ultimately made the difference.

Sophomore Camryn Hunkins sparked the CSN offense from the leadoff spot, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored. She singled in the first inning to start a two-run rally and later scored again in the fifth to momentarily give the Coyotes a 4-3 lead. Chloe Makinney added two hits, an RBI, and a stolen base in the effort, while Jimena Barraza-Caro reached base twice, scored once, and swiped a bag.

After giving up a run in the top of the first, the Coyotes quickly responded. Hunkins and Barraza-Caro opened with back-to-back singles, and Makinney's base hit to center tied the game. Later in the inning, a fielder's choice off the bat of Justice Lavin scored Barraza, giving CSN a 2-1 advantage.

In the third, Makinney singled again and scored when Lavin lined a shot to left field that pushed the CSN lead to 3-1. Arizona Western answered in the fifth with a pair of RBI singles from Analy Trejo, who finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs, leveling the game at 3-3. CSN briefly regained the lead in the bottom half after Hunkins reached on a single and scored on a fielding error, making it 4-3.

The back-and-forth contest saw the Matadors tie it once again in the sixth on a heads-up bunt play that allowed Destiny Martinez to cross the plate. CSN had an opportunity to walk it off in the seventh after Barraza-Caro walked and stole second, but a caught stealing at third and a flyout ended the threat.

In the top of the eighth, Rauni Gallegos, who went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and three stolen bases, delivered the go-ahead single to center. She later came around to score on a bunt single by Kris Corral, who also earned the win in the circle with two scoreless innings of relief and three strikeouts.

Freshman pitcher Mckenna Cahoon went the distance for CSN, throwing all eight innings and striking out five, but ultimately took the loss to fall to 0-1 in postseason play. She allowed 12 hits and four earned runs over 149 pitches.

The Coyotes also received defensive contributions with two double plays turned, though three errors and 16 runners left on base hampered their ability to close out the win.

With the loss, CSN now faces a quick turnaround and must win its 1:00 p.m. elimination game to stay alive in the double-elimination Region 1 Tournament. Fans can follow the action live on the Eastern Arizona College YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@eacmonsters.