YUMA, Ariz. – The Arizona Western Matadors Softball team (24-15, 10-10) split a doubleheader in Thatcher, Ariz., on Saturday afternoon against Eastern Arizona (21-10, 12-4) dropping the opener 12-3 in five innings before finishing the series with a 7-2 win in game two.

The Matadors battled back from a two-run deficit early in game one before allowing seven runs in the fourth inning in a 12-3 loss to Eastern Arizona in five innings.

Larissa Rueda led the Matadors with three hits in the opener, going 3-for-4, while Autumn Arriola went 2-for-3 and drove in a run in the loss.

After giving up a two-run homer in the first inning, the Matadors tied the game up in the second inning on a bases-loaded walk worked by Jayleen Espinoza before a sacrifice fly from Hannah Love tied the game at 2-2.

The Matadors got a run back after the Gila Monsters' seven-run fourth inning on an Arriola RBI single before Eastern Arizona closed out the game with a three-run fifth.

Nadya Moreno went 2-for-3 with a double and two runs batted in, and Analy Trejo had two hits, including a triple, in the win.

Arizona Western opened the scoring in game two with a two-run first inning before plating four runs in the third inning to take a 6-1 lead, scoring three runs on singles and the sixth run on a double-play.

After the Gila Monsters scored a run in the sixth, the Matadors added their seventh run in the top of the seventh inning.

Krisilyn Corral allowed two runs over seven innings of work in the circle, recording a strikeout in the win.

The Matadors will be back in action on Friday, April 18. They will travel to Henderson, Nev., to take on the College of Southern Nevada in an ACCAC doubleheader starting at Noon.