PRESCOTT, Ariz. — Feb. 27, 2026 — The College of Southern Nevada opened Arizona Community College Athletic Conference play with a strong offensive showing Friday morning, defeating Yavapai College, 9–7, in the first game of a three-game series at Roughrider Park.
With the victory, the Coyotes improved to 16–3 overall and 1–0 in ACCAC play.
CSN set the tone early, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning. Alex Rhynes reached and later scored, while Harvey Smerdon and Brandon Swanson helped generate the early pressure that put the Coyotes in front 2–0.
The Coyotes extended the lead in the second inning. Jake Gorrell reached base and later scored, and Evan Festa delivered key contact to help push the advantage to 4–0.
Yavapai responded with three runs in the bottom of the second to cut the deficit to one, but CSN answered immediately in the third. Rhynes doubled to left center and eventually came home, restoring a two-run cushion.
CSN continued to apply pressure in the fourth and fifth innings. Swanson doubled to drive in a run, and Festa delivered the biggest swing of the afternoon in the fifth inning — a three-run home run that extended the Coyotes' lead to 8–3.
Festa finished 3-for-4 with a double, a home run and five RBIs to lead the offense. Rhynes went 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and three runs scored. Smerdon added two hits and an RBI, while Gorrell reached base three times and stole a base.
Yavapai mounted a late push, scoring four runs in the sixth inning to trim the margin to 8–7. The Coyotes added an insurance run in the top of the sixth, and the bullpen combination of Mayson Reichartz, Andrew Kaplan, and Benjamin Schroeder held off the Roughriders down the stretch.
James Bradford earned the win on the mound, working four innings and allowing three runs (two earned) while striking out four.
The Coyotes will continue the three-game series later Friday with the second game of the doubleheader before concluding the set Saturday in Prescott. Full schedule and coverage information can be found at www.csncoyotes.com
