AWC softball preview

Arizona Western College at Central Arizona College (DH)

Time: 2 p.m. today

Last game: The Matadors topped Southern Nevada 7-5; The Vaqueras beat South Mountain 10-0, lost to South Mountain 8-5

Records: AWC (9-6 overall, 2-0 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference); CA (7-3 overall, 2-0 ACCAC)

Players to watch: AWC pitcher Trish Porter has the best record on the Matadors pitching staff heading into this game. Porter is flaunting a 2-0 record with a 2.30 ERA. Central will need to be on their guard against AWC outfielder Taylor Bashor who has already hit four homers this season and has 11 RBIs. ...Central Arizona’s Jessica Loiacano has emerged as the team’s leading hitter. Loiacano has 21 hits and 14 RBIs so far this season.

The lowdown: The two teams are locked in second place in the ACCAC as they are both sporting 2-0 records. The Matadors are coming off a pair of wins over Southern Nevada and Western Nevada to cap off the Great Western Shootout on Saturday. Central Arizona rebounded well after losing to South Mountain in the first games but thwarting them 10-0 in five innings. Both teams have proved they can get their offenses going — these games will come down to the pitching. The Mats starting pitchers — Amber Taynton and Megan Lerno — were inconsistent for their team in the last few games. If the pair can limit their walks and control the ball, the Matadors can come out on top in this match-up.
— Erin Redmond