WNCC and Trinidad State entered the series tied for second in conference standings at 7-3. The Cougars now have a solid 2-game lead over the Trojans after splitting a doubleheader on Saturday.
In the opener, Trinidad got the best of the Cougars rolling to a 6-0 win. WNCC rebounded in the second game, getting a clutch 2-run home run from Jason Sloan to earn a 10-6 win. WNCC won three of four games over Trinidad State after sweeping the doubleheader on Friday.
"Winning the series is huge for us. We came into the series tied with Trinidad for second place and we come out of that with a two game lead on them know," WNCC coach Mike Jones said. "When you go on the road in a four-game conference series and you come out winning three out of four, the guys have a lot to be proud of."
The Cougars played well in getting the sweep over the Trojans on Friday 7-3 and 1-0. In Saturday's opening game, the Cougars struggled against strong Trinidad pitching. The Cougars managed just three hits in the game from Sloan, Trace Marsden and Kevin Sanford.
Armani Gonzalez took the loss on the mound, going five innings and scattering seven hits, walking five and striking out two.
"in the first game, Trinidad's pitcher did an outstanding job against us," Jones said. "He threw a lot of sinking fastballs against us and we grounded out a lot to their third baseman. They made all the plays. They really controlled the first game against us.
WNCC didn't start the second game with a lot of urgency as Trinidad vaulted to a 4-0 lead after two innings. WNCC scored once in the third inning and the took the lead for good in a 4-run fourth inning at 5-4.
In the second game we bounced back and played real well after we started out a little shaky," Jones said. "The starting pitching from Julio wasn't very good, but JC Morales came out of the bullpen and shut them down for awhile. Our offense then came alive and scored a bunch of runs late."
The Cougar offense outhit the Trojans 12-9 in the game as WNCC ripped five extra-base hits., including two doubles from Elvis Garcia.
"We came alive and showed some power in the second game today," Jones said. "Guys were swinging with a little bit more confidence and we had some more aggressive at bats. We have a chance to be a pretty good offensive team when we can put together good at bats after good at bats."
Jones said that fourth inning was the difference in the game as it gave his players some confidence.
"That was a huge inning for us," he said. "JC just put a stop to them in the third inning and we came out in the top of the fourth and really came alive. The 2-run home run by Sloan was a real big at bat for us. We had a lot of big at bats in that inning. It was huge for us to get the lead and control of the game."
Morales picked up the win coming out of the bullpen for starter Julio Davila. Morales went 5 2/3 innings, allowing six hits, two runs and striking out four.
Sloan paced the team offensively, going 3-for-4 with four RBIs. Shane Wade finished with a double, two RBIs and three runs scored, while Garcia had two doubles and a RBI. Camilo Baldelomar also had a double as well as two RBIs.
WNCC, 17-19, will next be in action Tuesday when they host Colorado State University in a 9-inning game at Cleveland Field. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m. After that, the Cougars will get back into Empire Conference action when they travel to Northeastern Junior College on Saturday and Sunday for doubleheaders.
"There will be a lot of big games now," Jones said. "We have to keep winning our conference games. we have to try to stay in there, stay close to Lamar so when they come to us for a four-game series, we have a chance at the conference championship."
Game One
WNCC 000 000 0 -- 0 3 2
Trinidad 031 020 x -- 6 7 0
LP -- Armani Gonzalez.
Game Two
WNCC (17-19) 001 401 4 -- 10 12 0
Trinidad (19-15) 220 001 1 -- 6 9 2
WP -- JC Morales; 2B -- Elvis Garcia 2, Shane Wade, Camilo Baldelomar; HR -- Jason Sloan.
Team Overall Conference
Lamar 29-6 14-2
WNCC 17-19 9-4
Trinidad 19-15 8-6
Otero 15-23 6-10
NE Colorado 15-21-1 4-12
McCook 10-20 3-11
Saturday's Games
Trinidaid 6, WNCC 0
WNCC 10, Trinidad 6
Lamar 3, Northeastern Colorado 0
Northeastern Colorado 7, Lamar 3
Otero 2, McCook 1
McCook 7, Otero 6
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