YUMA, Ariz. – Five Arizona Western College Matadors softball players have signed to continue their collegiate softball careers at four-year institutions.

Sophomore infielder Valerie Joaquin has signed to play at Jackson State University after appearing in 110 career games for the Matadors over the last two seasons. Joaquin batted .384 with 51 runs batted in and 56 stolen bases in 60 career attempts. Joaquin batted a career-best .425 as a sophomore in 2024 and stole 36 bases while being named Second-Team All-ACCAC and All-Region. Jackson State University is an NCAA DI institution located in Jackson, Miss., competing in the Southwest Athletic Conference.

Joining Joaquin at Jackson State University is Mackenzie Barney, the sophomore infielder who played in 105 career games at Arizona Western, batting .310 with three home runs and 43 runs batted in. This past spring, Barney batted .310 with a career-high 23 runs batted in while stealing 23 bases in 25 attempts.

Outfielder Mollie Forbes will continue her career at the College of Charleston after appearing in 79 games over the last two seasons, batting .403 with 13 home runs and 36 runs batted in. As a sophomore, Forbes hit a career-high eight home runs and smacked seven doubles in 26 games. College of Charleston is an NCAA DI institution located in Charleston, South Carolina, competing in the Colonial Athletic Association.

Freshman outfielder Madison Morgan heads to Newberry College after appearing in 41 games as a freshman, batting .387 with 23 runs batted in. Morgan doubled nine times and drove in 18 of her 23 runs in conference play. Newberry College is an NCAA DII institution located in Newberry, South Carolina, competing in the South Atlantic Conference.

Two-time NFCA All-Region performer Jessie Garcia has signed to play at Bethany College next season. Garcia played in 106 career games in two seasons, hitting .379 with 23 home runs and 98 runs batted in while posting a 25-21 record with a 3.35 ERA in the circle. Garcia was First-Team All-ACCAC and a First-Team All-Region selection as a sophomore, doing so for a second consecutive season. Bethany College is an NAIA institution located in Lindsborg, Kan., competing in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference.