COOLIDGE, Ariz. - The No.19 Arizona Western Matadors Baseball team (26-6, 8-5 ACCAC) captured an 11-7 victory over Central Arizona College on Friday afternoon, rallying from an early deficit to open their conference series with a win.

Gerardo Castro jumpstarted the Matadors with a big day at the plate, driving in four runs and launching a home run as Arizona Western struck for four runs in the first inning. Central Arizona answered to lead 6-4 after three frames, as Matadors starter Thijs Helms was chased early after allowing six earned runs in 2.1 innings.

The middle innings saw the Matadors settle in and keep pace, before igniting a late surge. Arizona Western plated two runs in the sixth to pull even, then exploded for four more in the seventh to seize control. Victor Lopez hammered a home run and finished with two RBI and two runs scored, while Ten Shindo notched two hits, scored twice and swiped a base, helping fuel the offense throughout the contest.

Arizona Western's offense drew eight walks, had three players reach via hit-by-pitch and stole three bases, showcasing patience and aggressiveness on the bases. The Matadors left 12 runners on base but managed to score at least one run in five separate innings, capitalizing on their opportunities and remaining undefeated (16-0) this season when scoring 10 or more runs, according to the team schedule.

Gregorys Mateo delivered a standout relief performance, earning the win by tossing 6.2 innings and limiting Central Arizona to one run on four hits. The right-hander improved to 5-1 on the season, steadying the game after the early flurry and locking down Arizona Western's crucial conference road win. The Matadors' bullpen allowed just one run over the final 6.2 innings, keeping the Vaqueros from mounting a late comeback.

A DEEPER DIVE

• Friday's 11-run output marks the 12th time this season Arizona Western has scored 11 or more runs in a game. The team's season high for runs remains 18, accomplished twice — Feb. 1 vs. Utah State Eastern and Feb. 7 vs. Community Christian College.
• Arizona Western trailed 5-4 after two innings but outscored Central Arizona 7-1 from the sixth inning on, capping a come-from-behind road win. The Matadors scored four runs in the first inning, then answered a 4-run Central Arizona third inning by plating seven combined runs in the sixth, seventh, and eighth frames.
• Arizona Western's pitching staff recorded only three strikeouts over nine innings, the fewest in a winning effort this season. Despite the low strikeout total, the Matadors limited Central Arizona to seven runs and held on for the four-run victory, aided by dominant relief pitching from Gregorys Mateo.
• Gerardo Castro: Castro led all players in hits (3) and RBI (4) on Friday, pacing the Matadors' offense with a home run and a 3-for-6 showing at the plate. His 4 RBI represent one of the top individual RBI outputs in a single game for Arizona Western this season. Castro's multi-hit performance and home run were the offensive centerpieces of the come-from-behind victory. Individual season baseline and career comparison data were not available in the accessed sources, so career-high claims cannot be confirmed, but a 4-RBI, 3-hit, home run game represents a standout single-game effort by any measure.
• Gregorys Mateo: Mateo improved to 5-1 on the season with Friday's performance, the best winning percentage among Arizona Western's rotation/bullpen leaders. He entered in relief after starter Thijs Helms departed in the third inning and proceeded to hold Central Arizona to just one run over 6.2 innings — a dominant relief outing. His season record of 5-1 places him among the team's most reliable arms in 2026. Individual career baseline comparison was not available in accessed sources, but a 6.2-inning, 1-run relief appearance to earn a win stands as one of the premier pitching performances of the Matadors' season.
• Victor Lopez: Lopez provided a massive lift from the catching position, launching a home run and drawing two walks to finish with an on-base percentage of .600 for the game (reaching base 3 times in 6 plate appearances). His two-run home run was one of two long balls hit by Arizona Western on the day. The combination of power and plate discipline — 2 BB alongside the HR — was key in the Matadors' come-from-behind effort. Individual season and career baseline data were not available in accessed sources.
• Ten Shindo: Shindo was one of three Matadors with multiple hits on Friday, contributing from the top of the lineup with a multi-hit game, two runs scored, and a stolen base. His ability to get on base and create havoc on the basepaths was part of Arizona Western's offensive engine throughout the contest. 

UP NEXT

Arizona Western and Central Arizona College continue their ACCAC series with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 28, beginning at 12 p.m. at Central Arizona.