By Kaila Morales |Staff Writer|

Pitcher Tyler Wells is off to a great start with the season just starting.

With 20 strikeouts, and six shut out innings, Wells was named the first California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Baseball Pitcher of the Week for the 2016 season.

“It’s a nice award to have, but in the light of things, I’m just trying to go out there, and compete with my team,” said Wells.

“Whatever I do out there on the field isn’t for any award, it isn’t for myself, it’s for us,” continued Wells.

A very humble Wells credits his pitching success to good communication between coach Dave Martinez and catcher Andrew Lopez.

Junior Damion Edmonds is also off to a very strong start. With a run for every hit he has made, Edmonds is the leading scorer for the Coyotes.

“It’s my teammates, usually I’m on the top of the line up, so they’re good at getting me in and moving me over, and scoring me eventually, so I think it’s all on them rather than just me,” said Edmonds.

On Saturday the Coyotes were swept by the Dixie State Red Storm in a doubleheader, losing 8-2 in the opener and 14-2 in the second game.

In Game 1, Edmonds started off with a double to right field and senior Grant Buchanan followed up with a RBI single to give the Coyotes a 1-0 lead.

Seniors Ryan Rich and Dillon Fahr each came through with an RBI in the fifth.

Junior Don Sullivan took the loss after giving up 12 hits, eight runs with two strikeouts, and three walks.

Fahr was 3-for-3 in the opener earning two doubles and a single.

In Game 2 Fahr supplied the Coyotes with great offense with a two-run home run in the third,

“I do whatever I can to help the team,” said Fahr. “The home run was big, because it put us up, and gave us a chance to win, so that’s pretty much all I’m trying to do,” concluded Fahr.

The Red Storm however answered back as Coyote’s pitcher Austin Casillas gave up nine hits and seven earned runs with only two strikeouts.

Although the Coyotes fell short it was a good weekend for Fahr, who produced a series batting average of .545. Going 6 for 11 overall, including the two doubles and a homer.

The Coyotes were defeated again by Dixie State on Sunday with a score of 10-2, which concluded the four-game series.

The Coyotes will play in a three-day tournament in Lancaster, going against the University of British Columbia and Cal State LA. This will take place from Feb. 17 to Feb. 19.

“We just need to keep building on what we’ve been practicing and stringing it together,” said Edmonds.