Big start, big win! Lady Matadors jump on Eastern Arizona early and never looked back
HENDERSON, Nev. - The Arizona Western Softball team opened postseason play with a commanding 9-5 victory over Eastern Arizona College (33-17) on Friday morning in the opening game of the Region I tournament. Arizona Western won the tournment last season going through the playoffs undefeated. This morning, the defending champs picked right up where they left off with a statement performance from start to finish.
Analy Trejo led the Matadors' attack with a 2-for-4 performance that included a two-run triple in the second inning and a two-run single in the sixth, finishing with a game-high 4 RBIs. In the circle, Jessica Smith went the distance, earning the complete-game victory while striking out seven and stranding nine Eastern Arizona runners across 7.0 innings.
Arizona Western wasted no time seizing control, erupting for three runs in the top of the first inning. Rauni Gallegos and Trejo both reached to set the table, and Larissa Rueda delivered the first blow with a two-run double that scored both runners. Myah Alexander followed with an RBI double to push the lead to 3-0. Eastern Arizona answered with a run in the bottom half when Hunter Jackson drew a bases-loaded walk, but Smith immediately slammed the door by striking out Hayden Imai to strand the bases loaded and preserve the 3-1 advantage.
The Matadors extended their lead in the second inning with a two-out rally. Corinna Talbot and Gabby Weisser both reached, and Trejo delivered a clutch two-run triple to left field to push the advantage to 5-1. Eastern Arizona clawed back in the third inning on back-to-back RBI doubles from Jessica Szelenyi and Kaylisa Nakoa, trimming the deficit to 5-3. The Matadors answered in the top of the third when Alissa Piñon singled to center to drive in a run and restore a three-run cushion at 6-3.
The score held through the fourth and fifth innings before Arizona Western broke the game open again in the sixth. Gallegos and Talbot both reached, and Trejo delivered once more with a two-run single to left that pushed the lead to 8-3. Aaliyah Soderlund then led off the seventh inning with a solo home run to left field to make it 9-3. Eastern Arizona mounted a late rally in the bottom of the seventh on a pair of RBI doubles from Nakoa, one of which scored on an error, but Smith closed out the complete game with the final score 9-5.
Gallegos was a catalyst at the top of the order, drawing two walks and scoring twice, while Talbot reached base multiple times with a bunt single and a walk and also crossed the plate twice. Alana McDonnell and Avery Rodriguez each delivered key pinch appearances in the seventh inning to help load the bases and extend the lead.
UP NEXT
The Lady Matadors will look to take a 2-0 advantage in the double-elimination tournament later today. Arizona Western will face No. 4 seed Central Arizona later this afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for around 3:30 p.m. You can watch the game on the Coyote Sports Network on the link provided below.