Playoff Primer: Defending Region I Champs to set early tone for repeat
No. 3 seed Arizona Western meets No. 2 seed Eastern Arizona to kickoff Region I Softball Tournament
HENDERSON, Nev. - The Arizona Western Matadors Softball team (35-18, 19-13 ACCAC), the No. 3 seed and defending Region I champions, opens the Region I Tournament against No. 2 seed Eastern Arizona College (33-16, 19-13) to kickoff the 2026 Region I Softball Tournament. Arizona Western won the tournament last year, finishing a perfect 3-0.
Players to watch
ACCAC DI Pitcher of the Year Jessica Smith leads the Matadors into the circle, while first-team All-ACCAC selections Analy Trejo, Larissa Rueda, and Rauni Gallegos headline the AWC lineup. Eastern Arizona counters with first-team honorees Destanee Nez, Alexis Guzman, Jessica Szelenyi, and Madeline Reed.
• Arizona Western All-ACCAC First Team: Jessica Smith, Analy Trejo, Larissa Rueda, Rauni Gallegos.
• Arizona Western All-ACCAC Second Team: Brooklyn Cann, Alana McDonnell, Lea Frechette, Corinna Talbot.
• Eastern Arizona All-ACCAC First Team: Destanee Nez, Alexis Guzman, Jessica Szelenyi, Madeline Reed.
Series snapshot and recent meetings
Eastern Arizona owns the head-to-head tiebreaker this season, 5-3. The programs played eight times this spring, with the teams splitting the four-game series in Thatcher on February 27-28. The Monsters took three of four in Yuma on April 2-3.
Storylines
• Seeds and records: No. 3 AWC (35-18, 19-13 ACCAC) vs. No. 2 EAC (33-16, 19-13 ACCAC).
• Form guide: AWC rides a six-game win streak; EAC enters off two straight losses (both to CSN).
• Defending champs: Arizona Western captured last year's Region I title.
• Key arms in the matchup include AWC's Jessica Smith (ACCAC DI Pitcher of the Year) and EAC's standout duo of Alexis Guzman and Destanee Nez.
Where to watch
Arizona Western opens Region I Tournament play against Eastern Arizona this morning at 9:00 a.m. Pacific time. Click or copy and paste the link below to watch on the Coyote Sports Network.