Coyotes hungry to even the score in tournament

Victoria Sun

Wednesday, May 2, 2001 | 10:55 a.m.

CCSN baseball coach Tim Chambers remembers the sting he felt after his team was ousted from the double-elimination National Junior College Athletic Association Region I baseball tournament last year.

The Coyotes led South Mountain Community College 4-2 when Chambers made a profanity-free comment to his team in the dugout and was subsequently ejected from the game. An outfielder, who made the same remark, also was tossed.

And the Coyotes wound up with their second loss, 10-6.

"We didn't get very many calls," Chambers remembered. "I don't like blaming the umpires, but it hurt us when I was ejected because I normally run the offense."

Keeping their emotions in check will be a priority for an older and wiser CCSN team when it plays Glendale Community College in its first game of this year's NJCCA Region I tournament, at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Central Arizona College.

In just two years, Chambers has coached CCSN's fledgling program to a 96-17 record.

"We're playing on their fields with their umpires, but we're much more prepared than we were last year," Chambers said. "Our coaches and players didn't know what to expect before.

"I don't think the kids will be too overwhelmed because we've been there already. We have to keep our composure."

The 49-7 Coyotes, the sixth seed, beat 38-8 Glendale, the third seed, last year in the second game of the tournament.

CCSN starter Nate Fouts allowed only four hits during that victory and will get the nod against Glendale on Thursday. Fouts is 6-2 with a 3.78 ERA and 93 strikeouts.

Chambers expects Glendale to use its No. 1 starter, Eddie Bonine.

The Coyotes hit .376 as a team. They are powered by outfielder Jon Slack, who hit .450 with 66 runs scored and 70 hits in 46 games; and second baseman John DiBetta, who batted .391 with 70 RBIs and 22 doubles. Slack and DiBetta were chosen for the All-Region first team.

Chambers also expects catchers Tommy Rojas, who hit .400 with 50 RBIs, and John Caruso (.483) to be factors.

Starting pitchers Rejino Gonzalez and Cliff McMachen both enter the playoffs 8-0 while Amad Stephens is 9-2. Closer Shane Clatterbuck has six saves, two wins and boasts a 0.80 ERA.

"We have a good team," Chambers said. "They focus pretty well. The bottom line is we're going to have to have some breaks."

Should CCSN beat Glendale, it will play the winner of the game between No. 7 Yavapai College and No. 2 South Mountain on Friday at 11:30 a.m.

Earlier in the season the Coyotes swept a three-game series against South Mountain.

"The only negative to that is you've beaten a team three times so they'll be prepared and fired up to play us," Chambers said. "We know that we have beaten them before and are capable of beating anybody.

"My personal goal is to win more games than we did last year in the postseason."