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Joe Paolini and James Papeika show the way for Holy Cross

Joe Paolini and James Papeika both went out for shortstop during their freshman year at Holy Cross. "We ended up going with Joe at shortstop, but we knew right from the giddy-up that Paps was going to be a part of it for a long time," Lancers coach Steve Paolini said. "I told them that day, 'You guys are going to be joined at the hip for the next four years.' "

Joe Paolini (left) and James Papeika.
Joe Paolini (left) and James Papeika.Read more

Joe Paolini and James Papeika both went out for shortstop during their freshman year at Holy Cross.

"We ended up going with Joe at shortstop, but we knew right from the giddy-up that Paps was going to be a part of it for a long time," Lancers coach Steve Paolini said. "I told them that day, 'You guys are going to be joined at the hip for the next four years.' "

The coach was right.

The two juniors stand side-by-side in the infield, with Papeika at second base and Paolini at shortstop.

"It's awesome just having him right there by my side at shortstop because I know he's always there for me with all the plays," Papeika said. "It's like playing with your twin out there."

The two have been playing together for the Lancers since freshman year, and it's clear they've developed an undeniable chemistry, encouraging and picking each other up after every play.

"He's there for me when I'm down, I'm there for him when he's down," Papeika said.

Paolini agreed, saying they give each other constant advice without getting mad.

The chemistry "just comes with playing with each other for so long," Paolini said. "I know what he's doing I think before he does, so our chemistry is off the charts and that's something you really can't teach."

Even as juniors, the two provide leadership and guide by example in difficult situations.

With the Lancers tied against Florence at the top of the seventh on Saturday morning at Holy Cross, Paolini got his team out of a tough situation, firing the ball perfectly to first to record the third out.

In the bottom of the seventh, Papeika hit a solid drive into the outfield. The ball was caught, but a run came home on a sacrifice fly in the 6-5 win.

"It just so happens that they're a heck of a combination in the middle infield," said Steve Paolini, Joe's father. "James and Joe, they're doing some special things."

Papeika is hitting .344 with seven singles, three doubles, one triple, three RBIs and seven runs. Paolini is batting .250 with four singles, two doubles, one homer, eight RBIs and eight runs. Paolini is also 2-0 with 14 strikeouts on the mound.

"It's awesome and I've got another year with him," Paolini said of playing with his best friend. "I think the chemistry's just going to keep getting better and hopefully the team around us kind of feeds off of us and get better as we go along."