In the opener, Trinidad scored six fourth-inning runs to earn the 12-5 win. The second game saw WNCC score five runs in the middle innings and then received strong pitching from Brain Kelley and Beau Lofink to earn the 5-4 win.
WNCC, now 16-22 overall, is tied with Miles in conference standings at 10-8. Trinidad still leads the conference at 15-5 and 23-11 overall. The two squads will be back at Cleveland Field for another doubleheader Thursday beginning at 1 p.m.
Pauley, who hit home runs in both contests, said they team played alright except for a few hiccups.
"We played well. We got in some jams but we worked out of them pretty well. I thought offensively we grinded ourselves to get some runs but we pieced it together especially in that second game."
The first game both offenses had the bats swinging, combining on 23 hits. WNCC managed 11 hits in the loss thanks to Trinidad State scoring six runs in the fourth and five in the seventh.
The second game, WNCC received two strong pitching performances. Kelley went six strong innings allowing three runs, scattering six hits and striking out eight. Lofink picked up the save pitching a strong seventh, allowing one run while striking out all three batters he faced.
Pauley said the second game pitching was stellar.
"BK pitched really well. I would say one of his best performances all year," he said. "He had outstanding accuracy and command. Our offense really came together in the second game and we were able to pull it out. It was huge that we were able to get that last inning. Beau battled through those last base runners and closing it out was good for him."
The second game saw Trinidad score first with a run in the first inning. WNCC answered with single runs in the second and third. Pauley led off the second with solo blast to leftfield. The third inning saw Oscar Perez blast a triple off the left, centerfield wall that scored Ryan Grasser for the 2-1 lead.
The Cougar added three more in the fourth on just two hits – lead-off singles from Pauley and Jonathan Bermudes for the 5-1 lead.
Trinidad came back with two runs in the fifth and then a single run in the seventh. But Lofink didn't let the Trojans get the tying run in as he fanned his third batter of the inning for the win.
Both teams had six hits in game two. WNCC received a triple from Perez, who also had two hits and a RBI, and a home run from Pauley, who had two hits with two runs scored and a RBI.
Bermudes also had two hits with a run scored and a RBI.
The first game started out well for the Cougars as they grabbed a 3-1 lead after Pauley hit a no-doubter, 2-run home run to right field that nearly landed on the alley behind Cleveland Field.
After that, WNCC let Trinidad back in the line scoring 11 straight runs to grab a 12-3 lead. WNCC managed a mini seventh-inning run with two outs as Perez and Alex Achtermann each had singles. Austin Michaud then ripped his second double of the game scoring both runners.
Michaud paced the Cougars with a 3-for-4 game with two doubles and two RBIs. Pauley an Isaac Block also had two hits. Pauley finished the game with three RBIs and a home run.
First Game
Trinidad 100 600 5 – 12 12 0
WNCC 102 000 2 – 5 11 5
LP – Bradley Brown; 2B – Austin Michaud 2; HR – Jack Pauley.
Second Game
Trinidad 100 020 1 – 4 6 1
WNCC 011 300 x – 5 6 2
WP – Brian Kelley, S – Beau Lofink; 3B – Oscar Perez; HR – Jack Pauley.