Arizona Western softball wraps up most successful season this century

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - It was a season to remember for Arizona Western College softball.

After an early exit from the national tournament in 2025, the Matadors returned with a renewed sense of purpose and put together one of the most successful campaigns in program history.

Led by head coach Joel Prickett, Arizona Western captured another ACCAC Regional Championship and earned its second consecutive trip to the NJCAA National Tournament - something the program had not accomplished since the 1980s.

“We always felt like we had a good shot at it, just with our talent,” Prickett said.

The Matadors entered the season with a mix of experienced returners and a talented recruiting class, giving the team the pieces needed to make another deep postseason run. Several players returned with national tournament experience and the motivation to improve on last year's result.

Arizona Western Athletic Director Jerry Smith said the program continues to make strides with each appearance on the national stage.

“As you can imagine, two straight years in the national tournament, first time since the 80s we’ve had that... Last year we [kind of] had a short exit outta there, but this year, we stayed there two more games,” Smith said. “That’s our goal - just to get better and better every year.”

Prickett credited the team's success to a combination of talent, leadership and consistency throughout the lineup.

“It always comes down to talent, but we also had a really good group of sophomores that were good leaders on the field,” Prickett said. “Good pitching always helps... We had some really good, disciplined hitters.”

Despite the roster's talent, the Matadors faced challenges building chemistry throughout the season. Prickett said it took time for the team to fully come together, but he noticed a turning point late in the year.

“Kinda was a battle all year to be honest with you, [for the team to start] really jelling as a group, but I think there towards the end, they really started to come together and started pulling in the same direction,” Prickett said.

It wasn't until the final home game of the regular season where the change came.

“I have thought about Sophomore Weekend when we honored those guys. It seemed like when you put the end out in front of you, all of a sudden, it felt like they kinda came together a little bit better.”

That late-season chemistry helped fuel Arizona Western's postseason success and further established the Matadors as one of the top junior college softball programs in the country.

With several key contributors set to return next season, the Matadors will look to build on this year's accomplishments. Prickett has already begun traveling to scout future talent as Arizona Western sets its sights on a third consecutive trip to the national tournament.