Jeff Babcock is a fourth-year student majoring in communications and minoring in journalism. JB884128@wcupa.edu
Photo from www.wcupagoldenrams.com
After taking a week off due to spring break, our Golden Rams made their return to the plate once again, ready to take on Bloomsburg University in two crazy doubleheaders this past weekend. This past Friday, West Chester University held their first home game since last season’s cancellation, having a great first doubleheader in taking two strong wins against Bloomsberg.
In the first doubleheader, our Golden Rams won the first game strongly with a decisive 11–8 victory over the Huskies, and having yet another decisive 17–3 victory later on in the second game of the afternoon. Outfielder Luke Cantwell had himself a day, with a total of five RBIs in the first game, including two massive home-run shots that helped solidify the Golden Ram lead as the game was coming to a close.
In the second inning, however, senior shortstop and second baseman Justin Horn had himself an afternoon, going 2–3 in hits at bat, scoring two and sending seven RBIs our way during the 17–3 late Friday rout.
All in all, it was a great start after the week off for our Golden Rams, as they moved forward into the Saturday games the next day. Just as it was on Friday, our boys in purple and gold seemingly got off to a great start. Scoring during three of the first four innings and holding the Huskies scoreless until the sixth really opened the game up, with familiar faces like Horn, senior infielder Nick D’Amore and graduate outfielder Drew Jarmuz each having a piece in scoring, with Horn taking two and D’Amore and Jarmuz each at one run a piece.
However, that golden run of runs and hits ended quickly as the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader began; Bloomsberg finally got in their stride and took it to the Golden Rams, taking the last game as they ended up splitting the doubleheader, leaving West Chester with a tough 20–9 loss to the Huskies in Bloomsburg.
West Chester ended up taking the series three games to one in the end, with stars like D’Amore, Jarmuz and Horn taking the spotlight, while other players such as Cantwell showed up big when they needed him most. Nonetheless, the Golden Rams look as good as ever, even coming off a tough loss late Saturday afternoon.
Starting off the season at a solid 6–2 record and being undefeated here at home, our baseball team looks to be in a better position than ever, considering all the circumstances that they have faced. A new coaching hire, new staff and questions about players returning have haunted this team since the cancellation of the season last year, but what makes this team different is that, clearly, our Golden Rams were hungry for more and to be back on the field of play once again.
Next week, West Chester once again plays two doubleheaders, first on Thursday, April 1 here at home against Shepherd University before traveling to West Virginia to face Shepherd University once again on April 2.