YUMA, Ariz. – The Arizona Western Lady Matadors softball team (0-1) opened the 2023 season with a 7-1 loss to College of Southern Nevada (1-1) at Lady Coyote Softball Field in Henderson, Nev.

Desiree Moran was one of two Lady Matadors to collect two hits in the loss, going 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.

Lady Matadors' starter Jessie Garcia kept the Coyotes off the scoreboard until the third inning when Southern Nevada put three runs on the board to take a 3-0 lead, highlighted by a two-run homer, the first of three home runs hit by the Coyotes.

Mollie Forbes cut into the Coyotes' lead in the fifth inning, driving in Abigail Ibarra with a double, to pull the Lady Matadors' to within a pair at 3-1.

Southern Nevada pulled away in the sixth inning, scoring four runs to push the lead to 7-1. Desiree Moran drove in the final run of the game for the Lady Matadors with a double in the seventh inning.

Valarie Joaquin picked up a pair of hits in her Arizona Western debut, finishing 2-for-3 while Forbes went 1-for-3 with the RBI double.

Garcia (0-1) tossed six innings allowing seven runs while striking out five batters in the loss.

The Lady Matadors return to action later today, taking on Salt Lake at 4:30 pm in Henderson, Nev. at Stephanie Lynn Craig Field.