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OXFORD, Alabama - After a six-hour rain delay, the #18 Arizona Western Softball team finally took the field at Choccolocco Park for the opening game of the NJCAA DI Softball World Series versus #15 Iowa Western Community College. Arizona Western's return marked the program's second consecutive appearance at the national tournament and its first back-to-back World Series run since 1986-87 under Coach Joel Prickett, ending a 39-year drought for the program.

Jessica Smith turned in a gutsy complete-game effort for the Lady Matadors, striking out six and giving up three earned runs on six hits over six innings. Smith's 101-pitch performance kept Arizona Western within reach on the national stage.

The World Series opener saw Iowa Western strike first in the bottom of the first inning with an RBI single from Kiana LeDoux. Kamira Botos added a run in the second after singling, stealing a base and scoring on Taylin Tabor's infield hit. The Lady Matadors' defense responded with two double plays to keep the Reivers in check, but Iowa Western stretched the lead to 3-0 in the fourth as Botos tripled and crossed home on a groundout.

Arizona Western's lineup was stymied by Iowa Western's Saydee Plummer, who fired a three-hit shutout with eight strikeouts. The Lady Matadors put runners aboard in multiple innings but could not break through, grounding into two double plays and leaving five runners on base.

Aaliyah Soderlund reached base twice with a single in the fifth and a walk in the seventh. Analy Trejo delivered a single in the fourth, while Corinna Talbot added a base hit and advanced to second on an error in the third. Alissa Piñon drew a walk and Larissa Rueda was hit by a pitch to help create opportunities.

"The delay wasn't much of a factor, Iowa Western had to wait just as long," Arizona Western head coach Joel Prickett said. "The 17 days off didn't help our bats, I think that was the biggest thing, I was worried about that. You can't be off for two weeks without real competition. You can only do so much practice, we'll come back tomorrow and swing the bats better."

UP NEXT

Arizona Western moves to the elimination bracket and is scheduled to play TBD at 3:45 p.m. Central Time. The Lady Matadors will face either #1 seed Florida Southwestern or #17 seed San Jacinto who are scheduled to play at 11:00 a.m. Central Time. Weather is expected to be a factor again so stay tuned to our social media pages for any changes. The game can be seen on the NJCAA Network.