Coyotes rally to win Coyote Slugout

By Dan Cabrera, Sports Information

Monday, Feb. 18, 2008

The top-ranked College of Southern Nevada baseball team put together a late rally against Cypress College on the final day of the 7th annual CSN Coyote Slugout, scoring four runs in the final two innings to defeat the Chargers 6-5 on Sunday to finish unbeaten and win the 2008 Coyote Slugout.

CSN (11-4) scored twice in the eighth on RBI singles by Brandon Trodick and Easton Gust, then the ninth inning heroics came into play. Down 5-4 with one out and the bases loaded, Gust hit a ground ball to shortstop Tyler Marmion in what surely looked to be a game-ending double play. Marmion stepped on second base to force out Trodick, but the throw to first was wild, allowing Taylor Cole and Braeden Schlehuber to score for the win.

Ross MacDonald (1-1) picked up the win in relief, despite CSN committing five errors in the game. Devin Shepherd was 2-for-4 to lead the Coyotes' offense. Mike Pratali suffered the loss for Cypress (10-2).

On Friday, CSN opened up the tournament with a 6-2 win over El Paso Community College. Drew Leary (1-1) had a solid outing, going 7 2/3 innings to earn the win. Gust was 2-for-2 with two doubles to lead the Coyotes.

CSN faced fifth-ranked Santa Ana College to start off Saturday's tournament play. The Coyotes utilized a seven-run fourth inning to coast past the Dons, 10-3. Colby Shreve (3-0) earned the win, going 6 1/3 innings, striking out three and walking three. Schlehuber was 3-for-5 with two doubles and two RBIs, Kyle Bostick was 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and an RBI, and Jeff Gonzales was 4-for-4 in CSN's 16-hit offensive attack.

In Saturday's nightcap, the Coyotes faced El Paso once again and once again they defeated the Tejanos, this time by a score of 10-1 in seven innings due to the tournament mercy rule. Cody Fierro led the way, going 2-for-4 with 4 RBIs. Robbie Garvey was 2-for-3 with an RBI, and Schlehuber was 2-for-4. Cole threw a complete game, giving up an unearned run on four hits while striking out five and walking four.

CSN has a long layoff before opening Scenic West Athletic Conference play against in-state rival Western Nevada College on Feb. 29.