YUMA, Ariz. -- The Arizona Western College softball team (14-2) swept a non-conference doubleheader against Utah State Eastern on Sunday at Charlie Dine Field, rallying for a dramatic 5-4 extra-inning victory in game one before rolling to a 9-2 win in game two.

GAME ONE

Larissa Rueda starred in the opener, going 2-for-4 with two doubles, two RBI and the game-tying and game-winning runs. Autumn Arriola delivered a gritty complete game in the circle, allowing just four runs while striking out seven for the win.

Utah State Eastern struck early, plating two runs in the first and two in the second for a 4-0 lead, but Arriola locked in and kept the visitors off the board the rest of the way. Arizona Western chipped away beginning in the third as Rauni Gallegos drove in a run on a groundout. The momentum swung in the sixth when Rueda ripped a two-run double, cutting the deficit to one. In the seventh, Léa Fréchette reached on base to score Riley Purdy, tying the game at four and forcing extras.

In the bottom of the eighth, Rueda doubled and advanced to third, setting the stage for Avery Rodriguez, who lined a single to left to bring home Laisha Ibarra for thet walk-off win in a resilient comeback. 

"The girls fought all the way to the end," Head Coach Joel Prickett said. "We had timely hitting there at the end. Wins are always nice, but you always want to play as hard as you can. The Eagles are a much-improved team and I wouldn't be surprised if they won their conference. I think we earned the win and I think the girls did well."

Riley Purdy sparked the offense with two hits and a run scored, while Lea Fréchette added a run and reached base twice. Arizona Western scored four of its five runs after the fifth inning, showcasing late-game energy.

GAME TWO

Analy Trejo led the way in game two, driving in three runs including a two-run double in the sixth. Jessica Smith dominated in relief, entering the fourth inning with the bases loaded and no outs. Smith retired the first three batters she faced to end the Eastern threat. Smith tossed four hitless, scoreless innings with three strikeouts to earn the win.

"She's the real deal," Prickett said. "Just an incredible performance. Our starter Brooklyn Cann did a nice job but just lost her legs. I tried to let her work through it. I was good timing for me to bring in Jessica."

Jessica Smith was recently named the NJCAA DI Pitcher of the Week and ACCAC Pitcher of the week for her performance the week prior. 

Utah State Eastern again took an early 2-0 lead, but the Matadors responded with two runs in the third as Gallegos doubled home Corinna Talbot and Lea Fréchette singled in the tying run. Arizona Western broke through in the fourth, plating four runs on singles from Aaliyah Soderlund and Alana McDonnell, a sacrifice fly from Gallegos and a run-scoring flyout by Trejo.

Trejo extended the lead in the sixth with her two-run double, and Rueda capped the scoring with an RBI single. Smith slammed the door with four no-hit innings, allowing just one walk and striking out three to secure the sweep.

Fréchette tallied two hits, an RBI, a run and a stolen base, while Soderlund added two hits and a run batted in. Gallegos finished with two RBI and a double, and McDonnell chipped in an RBI single off the bench. Arizona Western finished the 16 game homestand 14-2, winners of 12 in a row. Now the Lady Matadors will be on the road for 13 games starting February 27th at Eastern Arizona. 

"It'll be interesting," Prickett said. "We haven't been on the road yet with this group. We open up conference play next in less than two weeks. Eastern is always good, it's a tough place to play. For these girls, it might be more fun to go on the road. Stay in hotels, don't have to set up the field or do the breakdowns, so, it'll be fun for a while. It is a long stretch, but it might benefit these girls to be away for a while, we'll just go out there and play."