HENDERSON, Nev. — The College of Southern Nevada Coyotes continued their unbeaten start to the season Friday evening, rallying late to defeat Utah State University Eastern 5–4 in their third game of the 2026 Manny Guerra Border Battle at Lied Field | Morse Stadium.

CSN trailed early after Utah State Eastern struck for two runs in the first inning and added another in the second, but the Coyotes answered steadily and delivered the decisive rally in the bottom of the seventh.

The Coyotes got on the board in the second inning when Alex Rhynes singled home Brandon Swanson to cut the deficit to 3–1. CSN added another run in the third as Harvey Smerdon tripled to left-center field, scoring Jase DeSantis.

After Rhynes tied the game in the fourth with a solo home run, Utah State Eastern briefly regained the lead with a solo shot in the seventh. CSN responded immediately in the bottom half of the inning.

With two outs, Joey Randazzo singled up the middle to score DeSantis and tie the game at 4–4. Moments later, Rhynes worked a bases-loaded walk, forcing home Smerdon with the go-ahead run.

Rhynes led the Coyotes offensively, finishing 3-for-3 with a home run, three RBIs and a walk. Smerdon added two hits, including a triple, scored once and stole a base, while Swanson doubled and reached base twice.

On the mound, Andrew Overland made the start before Evan Festa earned the win in relief, allowing just one run over four innings. Benjamin Schroeder followed with a scoreless eighth, and Andrew Kaplan closed the door in the ninth to earn the save.

With the victory, CSN improves to 7–0 on the season and remains unbeaten in Border Battle play.

The Coyotes return to action Saturday at 5:00 p.m. when they take on Salt Lake Community College in Manny Guerra Border Battle action. The tournament continues Saturday morning with New Mexico Junior College facing Arizona Western College, followed by Utah State University Eastern against Arizona Western College. The full tournament schedule can be found at www.csncoyotes.com.