YUMA, Ariz. -- The #24 Arizona Western College softball team (8-2) won all six games during their weekend homestand including a Sunday sweep of North Idaho College at Charlie Dine Softball Field. The Lady Matadors defeated North Idaho College with a 17-3 run-rule victory in five innings in the opener before closing out the doubleheader with a 7-3 win to continue their strong start to the regular season.

Aaliyah Soderlund paced the Matadors' offense in game one, reaching base in nearly every at-bat, scoring three runs, collecting two hits and a walk, and anchoring the defense with nine putouts behind the plate. In the circle, Jessica Smith fanned nine over five dominant innings while not allowing an earned run.

Arizona Western wasted no time in the opener, erupting for nine runs in the bottom of the first inning aided by eight walks to quickly seize control. The barrage continued with a run in the second, followed by a seven-run third inning that pushed the lead to 17-0 and effectively put the game out of reach. North Idaho managed three unearned runs in the fourth, but Smith shut the door to secure a 17-3 win by run rule after five innings.

Larissa Rueda, Avery Rodriguez and Corinna Talbot each drove in two runs, in the runaway victory.

In game two, Jessica Smith struck out six in four innings and gave way to Autumn Arriola in the fifth. Arriola starred both at the plate and in the circle. She tallied two hits, including a double, drove in two, and pitched three innings in relief with four strikeouts to close out the victory. Avery Rodriguez contributed a hit, two walks, and a pair of runs batted in as the Matadors' designated player.

Rauni Gallegos sparked the offense from the leadoff spot, scoring a run, reaching base three times with two walks and a single, and stealing a base. The Matadors jumped ahead with two runs in the first and three more in the second, building a 5-0 cushion. After North Idaho got on the board with a home run in the fourth, Arizona Western answered and maintained control, finishing with 10 combined strikeouts from Smith and Arriola and a clean defensive sheet with no errors.

Arizona Western won all six games spanning from Friday to Sunday, defeating El Paso Community College twice and North Idaho College four times. 

"We did what we were supposed to do for the most part, we had some questionable innings defensively," Arizona Western softball head coach Joel Prickett said. "I thought we hit the ball well, pitched pretty well. We're right where we should be, I would've liked to see our freshman get a little more confident. They seemed a little timid out there but that happens."

Prickett says he's pleased with some of performances by his sophomore leaders. 

"I thought Lea [Frechette] did very well, she cooled off a little after a hot start. She started 9-for-9 and added three walks," Prickett said. "Jessica [Smith] threw really well. She tossed 14 innings, collected three wins and only allowed one earned run. Analy [Trejo] hit the ball well."

The homestand started on Friday with Arizona Western honoring and recognizing all first responders and military veterans. Before the 2:30 pm game versus North Idaho College, the Matadors recognized North Idaho head coach Mike Garoutte, who served six years in the U.S. Navy. The Lady Matadors then honored three local veterans and first responders who threw out the opening pitches, they were Michelle Sims, a former U.S. Army captain who served five years as a military intelligence officer, Michelle is currently a professor of economics at Arizona Western College. Mark Sims served four years in the U.S. Army as a Staff Sargent Airborne Ranger with the 2nd Ranger Battalion. Mark also served 25 years with U.S. Border Patrol and currently is an Emergency Responder. Mark Sims also is the Current Homeland Security Professor. Officer Greg Fell served over 25 years with the Yuma Police Department and 12 years with the Arizona Western Police Department. Veterans and first responders from Cast and Hook fishing out of New Richmond, Wisconsin also were on hand and were recognized on the field before the ceremonial pitches. Chick-Fil-A Yuma also was on hand serving chicken sandwiches for the fans in attendance.

"The Arizona Western staff did such a fantastic job for Coach Garoutte and our first responders and veterans," Prickett said. "It was fantastic and much better than I anticipated. We had such a great turnout, the support was awesome. So well done and again, a great showing. Thank you to everyone who came out."

Up Next

Arizona Western will return to the diamond on Friday, Feb. 13, hosting Luna Community College for a doubleheader at noon and 2 p.m. at Charlie Dine Softball Field.