This past weekend for our Golden Rams could certainly have gone a lot better than it did. The doubleheaders were originally scheduled for Thursday, April 1 and Friday, April 2, but the second doubleheader was postponed a day. Nonetheless, the Golden Rams played on, hosting the visiting Shepherd University from West Virginia in a doubleheader down at South Campus that Thursday afternoon.
West Chester came out to play that day, effectively shutting down any offense that Shepherd had to offer on the pitching victories of senior Braeden Fausnaught and freshman Joe Sperone, as well as monstrous performances by shortstop Justin Horn and left fielder Zack Wright, which led to a spectacular 9–1 victory. Later, Sperone’s pitching and consistent hits by Veratti, Jarmuz, D’Amore and others led to a hard-fought 6–3 win to take the first doubleheader against the Rams down at South Campus.
Coming into Saturday’s doubleheader with momentum on their side, West Chester entered their first (and only) road trip outside of Pennsylvania this season with a road record of 1–3, while continuing to hold their undefeated home record of 4–0. The first game of that afternoon began with a nightmarish start for West Chester, as they gave up a difference of 5–1 in runs for the first three innings. However, the Golden Rams did not take that lightly, with big performances from right fielder Drew Jarmuz and first baseman Mike Ferrara rallying to score five runs in two innings. This rally was unfortunately halted by Shepherd, as they held the Golden Rams to only seven runs in a 7–10 loss.
In the final game of the series, the Golden Rams continued to rally forward in enemy territory, as Luke Cantwell and Justin Horn put up a stellar performance, sending four runs in to score after hitting home runs and taking the lead early. Unfortunately, that was not enough as Shepherd’s hitting nightmare continued for the Golden Rams, as they ended up scoring several more and turning it into a 12–4 loss, sending West Chester home in a series split with the Shepherd Rams.
For West Chester, this is the first series split of the season, as in each series prior, the Golden Rams won. Nevertheless, the Golden Rams we know and love kept fighting, and will continue to do so as they move ahead and look towards the future. What lies ahead is tough with teams like East Stroudsburg and Millersville waiting in the wings for these next two weeks.
These next two weeks will certainly test our Golden Rams as they come closer to the halfway point of the season and soon to be at the latter half. The Golden Rams next face East Stroudsburg twice at Serpico Stadium here at home on Friday, April 9 and out at East Stroudsburg on Saturday, April 10. Their season journey continues as they venture ever closer to the PSAC Tournament. Come on, you Golden Rams!
Jeff Babcock is a fourth year student majoring in communications and minoring in journalism. jb884128@wcupa.edu