HENDERSON, Nev. — March 13, 2026 — The No. 18 College of Southern Nevada Coyotes responded to an early deficit with a strong offensive surge and solid pitching to defeat No. 25 Central Arizona College, 8–2, Friday afternoon in the opening game of a three-game ACCAC series at Lied Field | Morse Stadium.
With the victory, CSN improved to 20–5 overall and 5–2 in ACCAC play.
Central Arizona jumped out to a quick lead in the top of the first inning when Jacob Croxford and Nolan Weinmeyer each connected on solo home runs to give the Vaqueros a 2–0 advantage.
The Coyotes answered in the second inning. Jase DeSantis worked a leadoff walk and later scored when Harvey Smerdon singled up the middle and advanced on a throwing error. Moments later, Alex Rhynes delivered a two-run single through the left side to score Jacob Nelson and Smerdon, giving CSN a 3–2 lead.
CSN added to the advantage in the fourth inning. Nelson reached base and Gehrig Pineda followed with a single before Rhynes doubled down the left-field line to drive in two runs. Joseph Randazzo later singled to right field to bring home Rhynes and extend the Coyotes' lead to 6–2.
The Coyotes continued to apply pressure in the fifth inning. Nelson doubled to center field and Pineda was hit by a pitch to set up another scoring opportunity. Smerdon then delivered a two-run double to center, scoring both runners and pushing the lead to 8–2.
Smerdon finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs, while Rhynes went 2-for-4 with a double and a game-high four RBIs. Randazzo added three hits and an RBI as the Coyotes totaled 11 hits in the contest.
On the mound, James Bradford improved to 4–0 on the season, allowing two runs on four hits over five innings while striking out four. Evan Festa tossed a scoreless sixth inning with a strikeout, and Andrew Overland worked a scoreless seventh to secure the victory.
The Coyotes and Vaqueros will continue the ACCAC series later Friday with the second game of the doubleheader at Lied Field | Morse Stadium. The series finale is scheduled for Saturday. Full schedule and coverage information can be found at www.csncoyotes.com
