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OXFORD, Alabama - Opening Day for the 2026 NJCAA DI Softball World Series is here! The No. 18 Arizona Western College Lady Matadors (38-18) clash with the No. 15 Iowa Western Reivers (49-6) at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Alabama, on Monday, May 25, with first pitch scheduled for 11:15 a.m. 

Where to watch: Catch it live here on the NJCAA Network link. 

Historical Context: Two-time National Champions have experienced a World Series Desert Dry Spell. 

Arizona Western has authored a return worthy of the history books. After hosting and appearing in the World Series in Yuma in 2025, the Lady Matadors have stormed back for a second straight appearance—their first back-to-back World Series run since 1986 and 1987, a 39-year gap. Arizona Western is a two-time national champion, claiming the title in 1983 and 1987 under head coach Charlie Dine. Arizona Western is making the program's eighth appearance in the NJCAA Softball World Series but haven't won a game in the World Series dating back to 2014, a drought spanning almost 12 years. This season, ten sophomores who saw the bright lights last year are back to lead again—the first AWC class since '86–'87 to make consecutive trips.

"Last year it was kind of like we were happy to be there," Arizona Western sophomore centerfielder Rauni Gallegos said. "So now we have to prove we belong here."

Meet Mr. May

When May arrives, so does the signature of head coach Joel Prickett— "Mr. May," also known as "Playoff JP." He's the first AWC head coach in program history to reach the World Series in each of his first two seasons, and this week marks his eighth national-stage appearance. His DNA is postseason ready. On Sunday night, he was named the West Region Coach of the Year for the second straight season. 

• Winningest coach in Odessa Wranglers Softball history with 513 wins in 12 seasons. Six World Series appearances 

• Best national finish: 3rd in 2005 with wins over Temple, Chattanooga State, and Wabash Valley before bowing out to Central Arizona.

• Guided Odessa to back-to-back national tournament appearances three different times.

• Won three or more games at the national tournament twice; final Odessa trip in 2014 finished 3–2.

• Peaking at the right time, Arizona Western storms into Choccolocco Park on a nine-game winning streak and hasn't lost since April 24. For the second consecutive year, the Lady Matadors ripped through the Region I/West District playoffs without a blemish—proof of a team embracing the pressure and thriving in elimination moments.

Arizona Western Scouting Report

Tournament softball favors elite arms, heavy bats, and defense that travels—and the Lady Matadors check every box.

• Jessica Smith (RHP) "The Red Rifle": ACCAC DI Pitcher of the Year, All-West Region First Team, and Region I/Western District MVP. ACCAC leader in ERA (1.08), tied for second in wins (18), fourth in strikeouts (147). Playoff line: 15 IP, 5 ER, 15 K, two CG, one save. Played in the 2025 NJCAA DI Softball World Series in Yuma while playing for Crowder College, forging a rare back-to-back World Series path.

• Analy Trejo: All-West Region First Team and the offense's engine—top three in the ACCAC in AVG, HR, and RBI. Team-leading line: 62 R, 76 H, 20 2B, 2 3B, 15 HR, 70 RBI, 26 BB, .481 AVG, .918 SLG. Enters nationals on a nine-game hit streak.

• Larissa Rueda (All-Region First Team): Had a 14-game hit streak snapped in the Region I title game; during it, went 4-for-4 with two HR vs. CSN (Apr. 17) and hammered five homers overall. Second on the team in HR (11), RBI (62), and doubles (19); led AWC with eight HR in 2025.

• Rauni Gallegos (All-Region First Team): Eight multi-hit games since April 3; power jump from one HR in 2025 to six this season.

• Alissa Pinon: Ten-game hitting streak; first two collegiate HR came on back-to-back weekends (Apr. 17 vs. CSN; Apr. 24).

• Corinna Talbot (All-Region Second Team): Ten-game hitting streak; average up to .425 across 44 games (80 AB).

• Lea Frechette (All-Region Second Team): A hit in 16 of the last 19; 53 games played this season. Power is down from 2025, but she remains a run threat and a lockdown defender in right.

• All-Conference Accolades (8): First Team — Jessica Smith, Analy Trejo, Larissa Rueda, Rauni Gallegos. Second Team — Brooklyn Cann (P), Alana McDonnell (C), Lea Frechette (OF), Corinna Talbot (OF).

Iowa Western Scouting Report

The Reivers enter as the No. 15 seed with a 49-6 record after outlasting Jefferson College two games to one in the Midwest District, capped by a 2-1 clincher in Game 3. Their extra-inning setback in Game 2 was the program's first loss since March—an illustration of their sustained form. Middle-order thump is real: Kennedy Boron leads with 24 home runs and 89 RBI. Under head coach Heidi Jordan, this marks Iowa Western's second World Series appearance in four seasons (2015, 2024). Iowa Western competes in NJCAA Division I softball and the ICCAC conference. While the Reivers have not yet won a softball national championship, they have become a consistent regional contender in recent years.  

Lady Matadors to lead the way

• Jessica Smith (AWC): Big-game ace with elite ERA and strikeout punch.

• Analy Trejo (AWC): Extra-base engine on a heater—nine straight with a hit.

• Larissa Rueda (AWC): Middle-order force with momentum-changing power.

• Alissa Pinon & Corinna Talbot (AWC): Dual 10-game hit streaks that deepen the lineup.

• Lea Frechette (AWC): Contact, competitiveness, and a shutdown glove in right.

Keys to ending the World Series drought

• Set the tone in the circle: Smith's command plus clean defense to mute the big inning.

• Score first: Apply first-inning pressure and make Iowa Western play from behind.

• Limit the long ball: Attack edges and manage traffic against the Reivers' power bats.

• Lean on experience: Ten sophomores with World Series reps steady every moment.

• Play with streak swagger: Nine straight wins—keep the tempo high and the belief higher.

Game Details

• Matchup: No. 18 Arizona Western vs. No. 15 Iowa Western

• Event: 2026 NJCAA DI Softball World Series (20-team field)

• Date: Monday, May 25

• First Pitch: 11:15 p.m. MT

• Location: Choccolocco Park — Oxford, Alabama

• Tournament Dates: May 25–30

 • Where to Watch: NJCAA Network