CONCORDIA, Kansas — The Cloud County Community College baseball team was able to open up an important week with a pair of solid wins Monday, defeating Kansas Wesleyan University JV by the final scores of 6-2 and 7-4.

"This doubleheader was a test for us to come back after playing last night on the road in conference," said Cloud County head coach, Eric Gilliland. "We had to rely on some guys and played a lot of different guys who needed some at-bats and work out of the bullpen. It wasn't always beautiful, but I commend the guys for coming out and playing hard, which is what we ask them to do."

Monday offered the T-Birds a chance to provide playing time to players looking to make an impact during Cloud County's stretch run inside the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference.

Freshman outfielder Grant Schmidt took advantage as the big right-handed outfielder had a huge day at the plate, finishing 4-for-7 with five runs batted in and three extra-base hits, including his first two collegiate home runs.

Schmidt's second home run — a three-run shot down the line in left field — broke a 4-4 tie in the sixth inning of Game Two, paving the way for the T-Birds to complete the sweep.

"We saw the Grant Schmidt we were all hoping to see this year," Gilliland said. "It's been a tough year for him. But he's a good kid and sticks with it. It was fun to watch him have success because he is certainly capable and we could use a bat down the stretch to give us some punch."

Sophomore designated hitter Erik Sabrowski provided the second long ball in Game Two, his team-leading ninth of the season, in the fifth inning and sophomore catcher Dario DeSantis was 2-for-3 with two RBI to provide the muscle in Game Two.

Fellow sophomore Ryan Simons was also 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a walk in the finale in what was a solid bounce-back game for the T-Birds' leadoff hitter.

"On a day like today, you're obviously still looking for two wins, but you're also looking for some positives individually. To get Ryan going again before the Barton series could be a spark," Gilliland said. "We're happy with how Ryan came out and set the tone in Game Two."

On the mound, freshman right-hander Jake Steinbring picked up the win in Game Two with two strong innings of work, and sophomore Ryan Krolikowski picked up his first save of the year in his first action as a relief pitcher since Feb. 27.

As for Game One, the T-Birds overcame an early 2-0 deficit to roll to a 6-2 victory over the visiting Coyotes.

Freshman right-hander Jordan Alexander and sophomore righty Logan Adelhardt were great out of the bullpen as the duo didn't allow a hit over the final five innings.

Alexander picked up with win with three strikeouts in two scoreless innings, while Adelhardt finished things off with three scoreless innings. He struck out one and earned his first career save in the opener.

Cloud County pulled even with Kansas Wesleyan JV on an RBI single from freshman Ed Scott in the third inning, then took the lead on a two-run double by Krolikowski two batters later.

Schmidt's solo home run in the sixth and a RBI double by DeSantis capped off the T-Birds' scoring.

Cloud County will now regroup and prepare for a crucial four-game series against No. 18 ranked Barton Community College, with just eight games remaining in the regular season, starting at 1 p.m. Thursday in Great Bend.

"We're going to have to play well, handle the baseball well, and throw more quality strikes," said Gilliland of the upcoming series against No. 18 Barton. "We'll start off with Erik on Thursday against Barton's big left-hander. It should be a really good battle and hopefully it will set the tone for a really competitive series."