CCSN downs N. Idaho to remain alive

Victoria Sun

Friday, May 10, 2002 | 9:32 a.m.

ST. GEORGE, Utah -- A game against North Idaho proved to be a quick fix for the Community College of Southern Nevada baseball team.

The players and coaches just hope it isn't temporary.

The Coyotes (42-16) banged out nine hits in a 8-4 victory over the Cardinals Thursday morning at Bruce Hurst Stadium, ending a five-game losing streak and extending the team's hopes for a Scenic West Athletic Conference championship.

"It felt good," said center fielder Andrew D'Angelo, who went 3-for-3 with three runs scored. "We weren't getting any breaks before.

"It seemed like everything wasn't going our way. Today, we finally got some hits when we needed it and we finally got some breaks."

The win followed the team's 2-0 loss to Ricks College in the first round of the double-elimination tournament.

In order for CCSN to win the conference championship and extend its season, it must win five consecutive games.

CCSN played top-rated Dixie College this afternoon.

"This group of guys, they've battled all year long," CCSN coach Tim Chambers said. "We've had so many distractions, it's just been a nightmare for us.

"We've had injuries on the mound, injuries to position players. These guys have battled and I felt like they weren't going to go out 0-2."

In February, CCSN won the regular-season series against North Idaho, 3-1, including 10-0 and 19-0 shutouts.

Still, the Coyotes insisted they didn't overlook the Cardinals.

"It's a little different during the playoffs than in the regular season," said left fielder Landon Minear, who went 3-for-4 with four RBIs and one run. "We beat them 3-1, but coming in with five losses, you're not thinking about automatically winning.

"You're just coming out trying to beat them."

Minear, who leads the team with 43 RBIs, tripled in two runs and designated hitter Chris Mower's ground out scored Minear in the third inning giving CCSN a 4-0 lead.

CCSN starter Derek Rodriguez made his first start in three weeks after being temporarily moved to the bullpen. Rodriguez gave up three runs, two walks and struck out three in 5 1/3 innings for the win.

Chris Hansen, who started the game at third base, relieved Rodriguez in the sixth. Hansen allowed one run and struck out one in 1 2/3 innings for his third save.

A three-run sixth inning gave CCSN a comfortable 8-3 lead.

D'Angelo laid down his third perfect bunt of the day to load the bases and Minear singled in shortstop Zeke Parraz for the first run. Pinch runner/ right fielder Justin Sibley followed Minear with a two-run double down the third base line.

D'Angelo leads the conference with 66 hits and 63 runs scored. Chambers said he called for D'Angelo to bunt all three times because the pitcher and third baseman weren't communicating well.

"It's my normal game because I usually get on, but I kind of went away from it, trying to swing out of it," D'Angelo said. "So coach (Chambers) moved me to the three (spot in the batting order) so I figured, hey, I better try to get the team started."