YUMA, Ariz. -- The Arizona Western Baseball team (37-12, 17-11) dropped the opener of a three-game conference series to Central Arizona College, 11-5, on Thursday afternoon at Walt Kammann Baseball Field. 

Arizona Western kept pace early, exchanging runs with Central Arizona through six innings. After both teams scored in the second, the Matadors briefly led 2-1 in the third. Offense continued on both sides, with Arizona Western answering every Central Arizona push until the sixth, when the Vaqueros began to pull away. Heading into the seventh, the Matadors trailed 7-5, but Central Arizona put the game out of reach with a four-run eighth inning fueled by home runs and extra-base hits.

Parker Husu provided a spark for the Matadors, finishing with three hits, two runs scored and three stolen bases. Offensive support came from Ten Shindo, Luis Acosta and Jamie Beerman, each driving in a run. Extra-base hits from Elias Huber and Go Watanabe gave the lineup additional pop, but the Matadors left nine runners on base and could not generate late offense.

Thijs Helms started on the mound, going five innings with three strikeouts and no walks but allowing five earned runs. The bullpen, highlighted by four strikeouts from Gregorys Mateo, surrendered six more runs and allowed three Central Arizona home runs as the Vaqueros finished with 17 hits. Arizona Western played error-free defense but was ultimately outslugged in the late innings.

Up Next

Arizona Western and Central Arizona continue the series with a doubleheader Friday, May 1, starting at Noon at Walt Kammann Baseball Field. The series marks the regular season finale and sophomore day for both teams.