PRESCOTT, Ariz. - The Arizona Western baseball team (22-4, 6-3) saw their eight-game winning streak come to an end with an 8-2 loss to the Yavapai Roughriders on Saturday afternoon. Arizona Western struggled to solve Yavapai's pitching, managing only four hits as the Roughriders pulled away late.

Yavapai jumped out to an early lead, pushing across two runs in the first inning and adding another in the third. Arizona Western cut into the deficit in the fourth as Gerardo Castro delivered a sacrifice fly to score Parker Husu, making it a 3-1 game. The Roughriders answered with a solo home run in the bottom half and continued to set the tone both at the plate and on the mound.

The Matadors' offense continued to scuffle against Yavapai starter Max Strickland, who struck out 10 over seven innings and allowed just one run. Trace Garrison provided one of the few bright spots with a double and a walk, while Jamie Beerman contributed a hit and a run scored. Arizona Western was limited to just three baserunners over the final five innings, leaving little opportunity for a comeback.

Yavapai broke the game open in the seventh with a four-run outburst, highlighted by another home run and an RBI double. Mattia Bernardis started for the Matadors, working five innings and striking out five while allowing two earned runs. The bullpen was unable to keep the Roughriders in check late, as Yavapai finished with three home runs and eight hits overall.

The Matadors picked up a second run in the eighth when Dan Kawanishi grounded out to bring home Beerman, but the offense could not string together consecutive hits, striking out 11 times in the contest.

Up Next

Arizona Western will look to bounce back on Tuesday, March 17, traveling to face Miramar College at 2 p.m. in San Diego, Calif..