THATCHER, Ariz. - The No. 18 Arizona Western baseball team took two-of-three games on the road versus Eastern Arizona, keeping ACCAC title hopes alive. 

GAME ONE - FRIDAY 

The series opened with Arizona Western leaning on a standout pitching performance from Thijs Helms, who threw a complete seven-inning game, allowing just one earned run on six hits and striking out six without issuing a walk. The Matadors jumped ahead early with a run in the first, but Eastern Arizona answered with two in the second. Arizona Western responded in the fourth, reclaiming the lead with a two-run frame before tacking on an insurance run in the sixth.

Parker Husu sparked the offense at the top of the order, finishing 3-for-4 with a run scored and two stolen bases as part of Arizona Western's six-steal effort. Brayden Hibler was a catalyst in the middle of the lineup, reaching base all three times and driving in two crucial runs. The Matadors converted their scoring opportunities efficiently, leaving no runners stranded.

Helms closed out his fifth win of the season by retiring the final six batters, sealing Arizona Western's 4-2 victory.  

GAME TWO - FRIDAY

In the second game, Eastern Arizona's pitching kept Arizona Western's bats in check as the Matadors were held to one run on six hits while striking out 14 times. Luis Acosta led Arizona Western with two hits and two stolen bases, continuing the aggressive approach on the basepaths. Ten Shindo drove in the Matadors' only run with an RBI single in the fifth inning.

Diego Alcala took the loss in the start but struck out eight across 5 2/3 innings, allowing four earned runs on three hits. Reliever Gregorys Mateo added two strikeouts out of the bullpen, but Eastern Arizona broke the game open with a six-run outburst across the final three innings. Arizona Western's pitching staff issued eight walks and three wild pitches, contributing to the Gila Monsters' 9-1 win. 

GAME THREE - SATURDAY

Arizona Western wasted no time jumping on the board, scoring in each of the first four innings to claim an early advantage. The Matadors got a spark from Ten Shindo, who went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, an RBI and two walks, setting the tone for a relentless offensive effort.

The Matadors' bats were patient and powerful, drawing 10 walks to go along with their 10 hits and making the most of every opportunity. Luis Angulo contributed two hits, two runs scored, two RBI and a sacrifice, while Elias Huber joined in the power surge with a two-hit day that included a home run of his own. Arizona Western was highly efficient on the bases, not leaving a single runner stranded and scoring in six of nine innings.

On the mound, Mattia Bernardis delivered a winning start, working 6 1/3 innings with four hits and four runs allowed to improve his record to 5-2. Filippo Baldassarri closed the door over the final 2 2/3 innings, earning his third save of the season. Arizona Western's defense backed its pitchers with a clean sheet, committing zero errors and limiting Eastern Arizona to seven hits in the 10-5 rivalry win.

The victory marked Arizona Western's 22nd game this season scoring 10 or more runs, and the team remains undefeated (22-0) when reaching that mark. The Matadors improve to 31-9 on the season and 13-8 in ACCAC play. The Matadors sit in third place in the conference standings trailing No. 12 Cochise College by one game and No. 13 College of Southern Nevada by three games with three weeks remaining in the regular season.

Up Next

The Matadors return home on Tuesday, April 14th, to face Miramar College at 2 p.m. at Walt Kammann Field followed by hosting Nelson University JV on April 15th at 2:00 p.m. and topping off the week with a three game ACCAC showdown with Yavapai on Friday, April 17th & 18th. All games will be broadcast live on the Matador Sports Network with Seth Hartley on the call. https://portal.stretchinternet.com/awcmatadors