CCSN baseball could reach milestone in season opener

Spencer Patterson

Friday, Jan. 25, 2002 | 9:29 a.m.

Looking to move into triple digits in all-time wins, the third-year Community College of Southern Nevada baseball team opens its season with a pair of home games today and Saturday.

The Coyotes, 99-19 since beginning intercollegiate play in 2000, will try for victory No. 100 against Arizona Western today at 5 p.m. at Lied Field. The teams square off again at noon Saturday.

"Those are landmark numbers for a coach -- 100, 200, 300," CCSN coach Tim Chambers said. "But more important than winning our 100th game is winning a game to get us off on the right foot."

Chambers' squad improved on its 47-10 inaugural campaign with a 52-9 record a year ago. This season brings added incentive, as the Coyotes -- now full-fledged members of the Scenic West Athletic Conference -- can host the league tournament by finishing first in the regular season.

Though CCSN lost many of its top players from last season -- including two-year standouts such as John DiBetta, Ben Quinto, Jon Slack and Nate Fouts -- to the professional or Division I ranks, the Coyotes figure to be highly competitive again in 2002.

Sophomore right-hander Josh Kerschen, a Kansas native who went 3-0 with a 4.39 ERA as a reliever last year, is scheduled to start tonight's season opener for the hosts. Kerschen has signed to play for the University of Texas next year.

Sophomore left-hander Jake Vose, a Cimarron-Memorial product, will start Game 2. A UNLV early signee, Vose pitched for California's Taft College last season.

Expected to be among the team's top returning hitters are first baseman John Caruso, whose .459 average led the squad in 2001, outfielder Andrew D'Angelo (.343) and third baseman Chris Hansen (.341).

Top newcomers include sophomore outfielder Shaun Hermansen (younger brother of Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Chad) and freshman shortstop Zeke Parraz, an all-stater on Green Valley's 2001 state title team.