YUMA, Ariz. – The Arizona Western Lady Matadors Softball team (0-3) dropped three games to open the 2024 season at the Coyote Kickoff Classic, falling 16-15 in the opener against Southern Idaho and 10-2 to Salt Lake before finishing the day with an 11-0 loss to Utah State Eastern.

Jessie Garcia was 2-for-3 with a home run and four runs batted in as the Lady Matadors couldn't hold onto the lead in the season-opening loss to the Golden Eagles. The Lady Matadors held a 13-9 lead late but Southern Idaho scored seven of the final nine runs to come from behind for the win.

Jayleen Espinoza and Madison Morgan each had three hits while Valerie Joaquin drove in a pair of runs in the loss.

The Lady Matadors fell behind early in game two as Salt Lake opened the scoring in the first inning. With the Lady Matadors trailing 6-0 in the fifth inning, GiGi Garcia slugged her first home run of the season, a two-run shot, to put the Lady Matadors on the board. Salt Lake scored the final four runs of the game to pull away.

Espinoza picked up ap pair of hits in the loss and Joaquin walked twice and scored a run.

The Lady Matadors were held to four hits in the final game of the day in an 11-0 loss to Utah State Eastern in five innings. The Golden Eagles used a six-run fourth inning to break the game open while the Lady Matadors were led by Espinoza and MacKenzie Vlea who each doubled in the loss.

The Lady Matadors are back in action on Saturday, January 27, taking on Trinidad State at 9:00 am MST before taking on the hosts, College of Southern Nevada, at noon at Lady Coyote Softball Field.