Rivera Smashes 2 Homers, But Pima Softball Falls to Phoenix College in Season Finale

The Pima Community College softball team concluded its 2025 regular season on Tuesday with a series against Phoenix College at West Campus Aztec Field. The Aztecs, currently ranked No. 8, faced a challenging matchup against the No. 5 Bears, ultimately losing both games.

Sophomore Natalya Rivera had a standout performance, going 3 for 7 with four RBIs, two runs, and two home runs. Freshmen Arianna Flores and Jiselle Nunez, along with sophomores Talia Martin and Aubrey Marx, also contributed significantly to the team’s efforts.

In Game 1, Pima fell short, losing 4-3 after a late rally. The Aztecs initially struggled, trailing 2-0, before Martin scored on an error, and Noriega tied the game with an RBI single. However, the Bears regained their lead in the sixth inning. Despite Nunez reaching base in the seventh, the Aztecs couldn’t capitalize, ending the game with two strikeouts.

Flores, who took the loss, pitched five and two-thirds innings, allowing four runs on eight hits, striking out five batters. The game statistics showed PCC with 10 hits but not enough to secure a win.

Game 2 proved to be even more challenging, with Pima losing 17-6 in six innings. The Bears established dominance early, scoring multiple runs each inning. Rivera’s first home run in the fourth inning brought some excitement, but it was the fifth inning that saw the Aztecs generate some momentum with a strong offensive effort. Rivera’s second homer, a three-run shot, briefly narrowed the gap to 10-6.

Unfortunately for Pima, Phoenix College responded aggressively in the sixth, scoring seven more runs to seal the victory. Though Rivera led the game with two home runs and four RBIs, Thompson took the loss, marking her first of the season after giving up seven runs in three innings.

Despite the setbacks, the Aztecs secured the No. 2 seed in the Region I, Division II playoffs, set to take place at Phoenix College from May 8-10.