HENDERSON, Nev. — Feb. 21, 2026 — The Colorado Northwestern Community College Spartans capitalized on early opportunities and held off a late rally from the College of Southern Nevada to secure a 4–3 victory in Game Three of the four-game series Saturday morning at Lied Field | Morse Stadium.
The loss moved the Coyotes to 14–3 on the season.
Colorado Northwestern struck first in the opening inning when C. DeCastro walked and later scored on an RBI double by F. Gaeta.
CSN responded immediately in the bottom of the first. Alex Rhynes drew a leadoff walk, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error before Brandon Swanson lined an RBI double down the left-field line to tie the game at 1–1.
The Spartans regained momentum in the third inning. After loading the bases, C. Gull delivered a two-run single to left-center field, with both runs scoring unearned following a defensive miscue, giving Colorado Northwestern a 3–1 advantage.
The Coyotes answered in the bottom of the third. Rhynes tripled down the left-field line and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Caden Kirby to trim the deficit to 3–2.
Colorado Northwestern added an insurance run in the sixth inning on an RBI single by J. Gonzalez, extending the lead to 4–2.
CSN mounted a final push in the seventh. Kirby doubled down the left-field line and advanced to third on a wild pitch. After two outs, Rhynes walked, and Kirby scored on a balk to cut the deficit to 4–3. However, the Spartans recorded the final out to preserve the win.
Rhynes led the Coyotes offensively, finishing 2-for-3 with a triple, a double, two runs scored and a stolen base. Kirby added a double and an RBI, while Swanson and Jase DeSantis each collected extra-base hits.
On the mound, James Bradford started and allowed three runs (one earned) over three innings while striking out six. Evan Festa worked 2.1 innings in relief, and Boston Jensen closed the final 1.2 innings with three strikeouts.
The Coyotes will conclude the four-game series against the Spartans later today at Lied Field | Morse Stadium. Full schedule and coverage information can be found at www.csncoyotes.com
