HENDERSON, Nev. - For the Western Nevada College Wildcats, it's hard to have perspective at a time like this - to look at what this team accomplished over an entire season and even in the Region 18 Tournament.

While none of that can be taken away, it also can't be denied that what happened on Saturday was the worst pill imaginable to swallow for the Wildcats' baseball team.

WNC was within one strike of putting away College of Southern Nevada before the Coyotes rallied for four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning in their 6-5 victory Saturday at CSN. The Coyotes won the Region 18 title and advanced to next week's district tournament in Arizona for the right to play in the JUCO World Series.

Even after the painful defeat, WNC coach D.J. Whittemore was able to keep everything in perspective.

"I'm just so proud and grateful of these guys on our team," Whittemore said. "A great season. A great tournament. A great comeback. Great character. I just feel really lucky to be associated with these guys."

WNC finished the season 38-20.