YUMA, Ariz. – The Arizona Western Matadors Baseball team (34-18, 18-15) were unable to hold the lead in extra innings in the series opener with Central Arizona (35-14, 20-13) on Thursday afternoon, losing 10-9 in 10 innings at Walt Kammann Baseball Field.

Kylian Bamberger went 4-for-5 with two doubles and a run scored, while Nathan Houston finished the game 3-for-6 with an RBI in the loss.

The Matadors scored first, grabbing a pair of runs in the first inning before Central Answered with two of their own, eventually scoring four consecutive runs to take a 4-2 lead.

After the Matadors tied the game at four in the fifth inning, the Matadors took a 6-4 lead in the eighth inning on a two-run single from Javier Diaz. Central Arizona, playing as the home team in a makeup game, tied the game with runs in the eighth and ninth innings.

Arizona Western took a 9-6 lead in the top of the 10^th inning, sending eight batters to the plate to score three runs in the frame. The Vaqueros answered, scoring four times in the next half inning to win the game.

The Matadors are back on action on Friday, April 25, taking on Central Arizona in an ACCAC doubleheader beginning at Noon at Walt Kammann Baseball Field.