YUMA, Ariz. -- The No. 19 Arizona Western Matadors Baseball team (36-9, 16-8 ACCAC) delivered a walk-off 8-7 win in 11 innings over Yavapai College on Saturday afternoon at Walt Kammann Field.

The Matadors wasted no time seizing momentum, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning before tacking on two more runs in the third. Mattia Bernardis set the tone on the mound with 5.2 innings, limiting Yavapai to three hits and one run through the opening frames. Offensively, Ten Shindo provided the early spark, homering and doubling as part of a 2-for-5 afternoon that saw him score twice.

Yavapai fought back, narrowing the gap with runs in the fourth and sixth, but the Matadors answered as Elias Huber drove in three runs on a pair of hits and stole a base to keep Arizona Western in control. Luis Acosta turned in a standout game of his own, reaching base twice, swiping a bag and adding an RBI to help build a 7-3 cushion late.

In the late innings, Yavapai rallied, scoring three runs in the ninth to tie the game at 7-7 and force extras. Arizona Western's bullpen proved crucial, with Gregorys Mateo tossing three scoreless innings in relief, fanning three and allowing just two hits without a walk. The Matadors' pitching staff combined for 10 strikeouts and allowed only one walk over 11 innings, a key factor in keeping the game within reach.

The drama peaked in the bottom of the 11th, when the Matadors pushed across the winning run to secure an 8-7 walk-off victory. Arizona Western finished with eight runs on just seven hits, demonstrating patience with six walks and four stolen bases, and capitalized on two Yavapai errors to complete one of their most efficient offensive efforts of the season.

Up Next

Arizona Western put their six-game winning streak on this line for a pivotal three-game ACCAC series against the College of Southern Nevada next weekend, beginning Friday, April 24, with a doubleheader at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., followed by a single game Saturday at noon. CSN is currently in first place in the ACCAC with a record of 18-6, Arizona Western is now in second place, two games back with six games to play.