THATCHER, Ariz. - The Arizona Western softball team experienced the sting of two different losses to begin a 13-game road trip and also open ACCAC play against Eastern Arizona on Friday afternoon. 

GAME ONE 

A walk-off home-run left Arizona Western College Matadors on the wrong end of a 4-3 score against Eastern Arizona College in the first game of a doubleheader. Eastern Arizona College trailed 3-2 in the bottom of the eighth inning when Malayah Renteria homered to left field, scoring two runs.

The Lady Matadors lost despite out-hitting Eastern Arizona College 10 to 5. Rauni Gallegos and Lea Frechette each collected two hits for Arizona Western in the loss.

Eastern Arizona opened the scoring in the third inning after an error scored a run.

Trailing 2-1 in the top of the seventh inning, Larissa Rueda's sacrifice fly helped Arizona Western tie the game 2-2 in the top of the seventh.

The Lady Matadors took the lead in the top of the eighth as Riley Purdy scored on a sacrifice fly to give Arizona Western the lead, 3-2.

Jessica Smith got the start for Arizona Western, allowing five hits and four runs (one earned) over seven and two-thirds innings, striking out 10 and walking three. For the Gila Monsters, Alexis Guzman surrendered four hits and one run (zero earned) over six innings, striking out seven and walking two.

Larissa Rueda, Alissa Pinon, and Aaliyah Soderlund each drove in a run for Arizona Western College Matadors.

Renteria, the number eight hitter for Eastern Arizona College, led the way with two runs batted in. The right-handed hitter went 1-for-4 on the day. Jessica Szelenyi set the tone at the top of the lineup, leading Eastern Arizona College with two hits in four at bats.

 GAME TWO

Arizona Western couldn't keep up with Eastern Arizona College and fell 11-3 in six innings in game two.

Eastern Arizona College got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after Maddie Reed flew out, and Kaylisa Nakoa doubled to right field, each scoring one run.

Arizona Western tied the game in the top of the third thanks to a ground out by Analy Trejo, and a single by Autumn Arriola.

Eastern Arizona took the lead back in the home half of the third inning to take a 3-2 lead.

Autumn Arriola began the game in the circle for Arizona Western and surrendered eight hits and six runs (three earned) over three innings. Destanee Nez stepped in the circle first for Eastern Arizona College and allowed seven hits and three runs over six innings, striking out two and walking two.

Analy Trejo and Arriola each drove in a run for Arizona Western.

Eastern Arizona College tallied 13 hits in the game. Nakoa led Eastern Arizona College with three hits in four at bats. Vanessa Gavigan and Karen Castro each collected multiple hits for Eastern Arizona College.