YUMA, Ariz. - The Arizona Western softball team kicks of the 2026 season this Friday at Charlie Dine field versus the College of Southern Idaho. Game time is set for noon and before the action on the diamond takes place, Dr. Reetika Dhawan, recently selected to serve as the 10th President of Arizona Western College, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. 

"Anytime we can reach out across the campus and show our appreciation I feel it's a good thing," Arizona Western head softball coach Joel Prickett said. "We always have their support and sometimes out game times are not conducive for our administrators and professors to come on their day off to watch a game. I know Dr. Dhawan is really well liked and respected, gives some people a reason to come out and I feel we'll have a good and fun crowd."

After the ceremonial first pitch, the Lady Matadors will take the field as they begin their journey to another trip to the NJCAA DI World Series. Head Coach Joel Prickett shares a preview of what he's anticipating and what fans can expect. 

"I think our biggest thing we want to see is the execution of what we've put in since the fall," Prickett said. "We feel like if we can execute the game and do what the game asks of us, the game will be good to us. That's probably what you look for every time we take the field to be honest."

With the new season just hours away, Coach Prickett shares what players he has his eyes on. 

"I'm really looking forward to seeing Jessica Smith, being a transfer, just seeing how she warms up to the role of our starting pitcher in game one. Then, probably Analy Trejo, she was a big hitter for us last year and I feel like she's really come back healthy and focused. Lea Frechette enters the season healthy, knock on wood, that is big for us. Without her for part of last year hurt us. She led the team in RBIs despite missing the first 20 conference games. She also was second on the team in home runs, so she's a big impact player for us."

Pricket also points out a few freshman players that could make an immediate impact.

"I think Aaliyah Soderlund behind the dish gives us a good defensive arm," Prickett said. "Corinna Talbot brings us lots and lots of speed. This past fall she stole a lot of bases against a lot of division one teams. Those are a few that come to mind"

Prickett is also working with a new coaching staff with Lauryn De Guzman and Payton McNabney.

"Lauryn came in as our strength and conditioning coach," Pricket said. "She's a former DI outfielder and slap hitter which is good for us positionally. When we lost Bobby Verdugo in the fall to San Jose State, we decided to move Lauryn up to Bobby's position. She does such good work with everything. She brings confidence and leads by example. She's probably the most physically fit person on our team. Payton comes in knowing my style, she played for me at Odessa in 2014. She was a starting shortstop back then. We're fortunate to have her and she gives a little rougher feedback sometimes. She can be very direct and pushes the girls to get the most out of them."

The Lady Matadors will face the College of Southern Idaho in a four-game series with two games on Friday afternoon and two more on Saturday. Just like Arizona Western a year ago, the Golden Eagles are also coming off an appearance in the NJCAA DI World Series. 

"They have 11 players returning including their top five hitters in batting average," Prickett said. "It'll be important to keep their leadoff batter off base; she had 36 stolen bases last year. They have a couple of double-digit homerun hitters. Pitching wise they return three pitchers that saw significant time last year. They'll have experience, they are well coached, it should be a good matchup. I'm sure there will be some early season jitters and mistakes. Both teams started slow a year ago and then made it to the national tournament. It's all about playing your best at the right time which is at the end of the season."

Game time is set for noon on Friday, January 30, 2026, with the second game to follow around 2:00 pm. Dr. Dhawan will toss out the ceremonial first pitch after starting lineups are announced and before the national anthem is played. Somewhere around 11:55 a.m. MST. All games will be broadcast on the Matador Sports Stream. https://portal.stretchinternet.com/awcmatadors