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OXFORD, Alabama - The Arizona Western Softball team delivered a statement in the NJCAA Division I Softball World Series elimination round, powering past the San Jacinto College-South Ravens 10-1 in five innings Tuesday afternoon. The win marks Arizona Western's first at the World Series since May 14, 2014 and the first runs scored in the event since May 19, 2018.

Aaliyah Soderlund provided the early fireworks, launching a three-run home run in the first inning and later driving in a fourth run on a fielder's choice.

"I just wanted to get the team going with a lot of runs," Soderlund said. "I'm glad we scored 10 today. Hopefully this sets the tone for everything going forward and we can take it forward."

Jessica Smith controlled the circle, tossing a five-inning complete game and stranding seven Ravens runners.

Arizona Western struck fast, as Larissa Rueda singled home Léa Fréchette for the game's first run. With two outs, Soderlund's blast to left-center put the Matadors up 4-0. Smith dodged damage in the second, leaving the bases loaded, but San Jacinto cut it to 4-1 in the third on a two-out RBI triple by Bree Norman.

The fourth inning broke the game wide open. Corinna Talbot grounded out to bring home Alissa Piñon, and Gabby Weisser stole home to make it 6-1. Analy Trejo notched a two-run double, Soderlund added an RBI fielder's choice, and a passed ball capped the six-run frame for a 10-1 lead.

Arizona Western finished with six hits, seven walks and three stolen bases, capitalizing on five passed balls and an error by San Jacinto. Rueda went 2-for-2 and scored twice, Trejo added two hits and two RBI, and Weisser's speed set up key runs with two steals. Fréchette reached base three times and scored twice, while Piñon walked twice and scored in the pivotal fourth.

Smith allowed just one earned run and scattered six hits with a strikeout, closing the five-inning run-rule victory as the Matadors played error-free defense. The win snaps a 12-year drought at the World Series and sets the stage for another high-stakes elimination game.

"It feels incredible," Arizona Western sophomore Analy Trejo said. "It feels so good to finally to break through, the last time we didn't win anything and now we've pushed through and I feel we have all the momentum."

UP NEXT

Arizona Western continues its NJCAA DI Softball World Series run Wednesday, facing No. 12 Volunteer State at 9 a.m. CT at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala. There is no documented matchup history between the two teams. Celebrate the milestone win and catch all the tournament action with friends at Buffalo Wild Wings in Yuma.