HENDERSON, Nev. — April 24, 2026 — The No. 11 College of Southern Nevada Coyotes leaned on a dominant performance from James Bradford and timely offense to defeat No. 17 Arizona Western College, 4–1, Friday afternoon in the opening game of a three-game ACCAC series at Lied Field | Morse Stadium.
With the victory, CSN improved to 34–9 overall and 19–6 in ACCAC play.
Both teams traded scoreless innings early as Bradford and Arizona Western starter Thijs Helms settled into a pitchers' duel. Bradford worked efficiently through the first three innings, allowing just one hit while keeping the Matadors off the scoreboard.
Arizona Western broke through in the fourth inning. Luis Acosta reached on a bunt single and advanced on a throwing error before Luis Angulo delivered an RBI single to give the Matadors a 1–0 lead.
The Coyotes responded immediately in the bottom half of the inning. Harvey Smerdon singled to spark the rally and Evan Festa followed with a base hit to put runners on. Brandon Swanson then delivered an RBI single to tie the game, and moments later CSN executed a double play ball that allowed Festa to score from third, giving the Coyotes a 2–1 lead.
CSN added to its advantage in the fifth inning. Joseph Randazzo worked a walk before Grant Smith reached on a fielder's choice. After an error allowed Jase DeSantis to reach, Caden Kirby came through with an RBI double to right field to extend the lead to 3–1. Smerdon followed with a groundout that brought home another run, pushing the lead to 4–1.
That would be more than enough for Bradford, who was in complete control the rest of the way. The right-hander tossed a complete-game effort, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out five to improve to 8–0 on the season.
Offensively, Smerdon led the Coyotes with two hits and an RBI, while Kirby added a double and an RBI. Swanson contributed a key RBI hit, and CSN totaled five hits while capitalizing on Arizona Western miscues.
The Coyotes and Matadors will continue the three-game ACCAC series later Friday with the second game of the doubleheader at Morse Stadium. Full schedule and coverage information can be found at www.csncoyotes.com.
