CBS 13 Sports: Arizona Western stays alive at World Series

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - It was a busy night across the local sports scene as Arizona Western softball kept its season alive at the NJCAA World Series. While Central baseball lost their first postseason game, putting them on the ropes tomorrow and Brawley softball continued their postseason run to the CIF-San Diego Section Championship game.

The Arizona Western College softball team earned its first NJCAA Softball World Series win since 2014 Tuesday afternoon with a dominant 10-1 run-rule victory over San Jacinto in five innings.

After being shut out in its tournament opener Monday night, the Lady Matadors responded with an offensive breakout at Choccolocco Park. 

Arizona Western jumped ahead early behind RBI hits from Larissa Rueda and Analy Trejo. While freshman catcher Aaliyah Soderlund highlighted the afternoon with a three-run home run to left-center field.

All-American pitcher Jessica Smith tossed a complete game in the circle, allowing just one run while earning her 19th victory of the season. The win also snapped an eight-year drought without scoring a run on the national stage for the Matadors.

Meanwhile, the Central Spartans baseball team experienced their first playoff loss Tuesday after falling 4-2 to the Foothills Christian Knights in a CIF-SDS Division IV semifinals.

Despite the loss, Central received a strong outing from pitcher Jack Morgan, who struck out five batters and allowed two earned runs in a complete-game performance.

Head coach Gene Martin said the Spartans struggled to execute in key moments offensively, pointing to missed opportunities and fundamentals at the plate.

The Spartans will be back in action tomorrow against the Knights once again. The winner will go to the championship game vs the winner of the Francis Parker Lancers and the San Dieguito Academy Mustangs.

In softball, the Brawley Wildcats punched their ticket to the CIF-San Diego Section Division III Championship game after defeating Coronado 8-2 in the semifinals.

The Wildcats will now face Helix Thursday night at 7 p.m. at San Diego State University with a CIF title on the line. Both teams enter the championship matchup undefeated in postseason play.