YUMA, Ariz. -- The #24 Arizona Western College softball team (2-2) split a doubleheader with the #25 College of Southern Idaho on Saturday afternoon at Charlie Dine Softball Field, taking game one 4-1 before falling 6-2 in the finale in regular season non-conference action.

Jessica Smith (2-0) led the way in the opener, tossing a complete game with eight strikeouts and no walks, while Larissa Rueda reached base in all three plate appearances and delivered a crucial two-run home run.

The Matadors broke through in the third inning of game one when Analy Trejo singled in Léa Fréchette for the first run, then raced home on a College of Southern Idaho throwing error to make it 2-0. The visitors responded with a sacrifice fly in the top of the fourth to cut the lead in half, but Rueda answered in the bottom of the fifth with a two-run shot to center, scoring Trejo and giving Arizona Western a 4-1 cushion.

Smith shut the door in the seventh, striking out the final batter with two runners in scoring position to secure her second win of the year. Arizona Western capitalized on timely hits and stout defense, while limiting College of Southern Idaho to just one run on six hits.

Trejo posted a perfect 2-for-2 line with two runs scored and an RBI in game one, while Rueda finished 2-for-2 with a walk, a home run and two runs batted in.

GAME TWO

In game two, the Matadors struck first on another spark from Trejo, who launched a solo home run in the opening frame for an early lead. Defensive miscues in the fifth inning, however, proved costly as College of Southern Idaho capitalized on a pair of errors to plate four unearned runs, flipping the game in their favor.

Arizona Western pushed across its second run in the sixth when Autumn Arriola grounded out to score Trejo, but the Golden Eagles responded with an insurance run in the seventh to close out the 6-2 decision. Matadors' starter Trejo and reliever Arriola combined to allow only two of the six runs earned.

Trejo capped her day with a 3-for-3 effort, scoring both Matador runs and adding a double to her home run. Riley Purdy also added a hit, but Arizona Western was unable to overcome the big inning from College of Southern Idaho despite tallying six hits.

After splitting the four-game series, Seth Hartley with the Matador Sports Network caught up with head coach Joel Prickett and asked him to assess his team's opening weekend.

"Our effort was good," Prickett said. "Analy threw well, Autumn, threw well. We slipped up a little in the game they pitched. Again, we played a good team, they clutched up and got some hits. I could've done a better job calling some of those pitches. I left a few out there. We fought to the end, had some baserunning mistakes that thwarted a rally. Good learing experience for our freshman."

Sophomore transfer Jessica Smith has been stellar in the circle; Analy Trejo has also been efficient but has fallen on some tough luck. 

"She's also leading us offensively," Prickett said. "Analy is doing a great job for us. Jessica threw well again in the first game. We're probably where we should be in January."

Up Next

The Matadors continue non-conference play at Charlie Dine Softball Field on Friday, Feb. 6, hosting El Paso Community College at 9:30 a.m. and North Idaho College at 2:30 p.m.