YUMA, Ariz. - The Arizona Western softball team opened its regular season home finale by splitting Friday's doubleheader against Central Arizona College.

The Matadors wasted no time in the opener, jumping ahead with two runs in the first. They blew the game open in the second inning, sending seven runs across the plate, Léa Fréchette set the tone in Game 1, going 3-for-3 with two RBI, three runs scored and two sensational diving catches in right field. Analy Trejo also was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate in Game 1, Rauni Gallegos went 2-for-3 with two RBI and Alissa Piñon delivered the big blow, connecting for her second homerun on the season. Jessica Smith fired a two-hit shutout in the circle cycling through much of the lineup to stake a 9-0 advantage. Arizona Western added two more in the third, allowing Smith to finish a five-inning shutout as the Matadors closed the game by mercy rule, 11-0. 

In Game 2, it was Central Arizona's Jayden Throgmorton who would be dominant in the circle, tossing a complete-game shutout with eight strikeouts to quiet the Matadors' bats.

 Momentum shifted in Game 2 as Central Arizona College scored early, with single runs in the first and second before breaking through for four runs in the third, highlighted by a home run from Brianna Wunderle. The Matadors were held off the scoreboard for just the second time all season, managing five hits but stranding eight runners. Starter Brooklyn Cann worked five innings and Autumn Arriola closed out the final two, but Central Arizona tacked on an additional run in the seventh to cap the 7-0 defeat.

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Arizona Western will wrap up its regular season home schedule and honor the team's 10 sophomores. First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. with game two to follow at around 1:00 p.m. The team will hold a small ceremony after the final game to celebrate the sophomores' final home game of their Arizona Western College careers.