West Chester University Baseball Opens Season with Doubleheader Sweep

The Golden Rams defeated Indiana (Pa.) in both games of the twinbill played at Harford County Community College.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The West Chester University baseball team opened its 2026 season with a doubleheader sweep over Indiana (Pa.) on Friday afternoon at Harford County Community College. West Chester captured the first game by an 8-3 final behind a three-run second inning, and then came from behind late to take the second game by a 5-4 final.

Why it matters

West Chester University is a Division II powerhouse in college baseball, having won multiple conference titles and made deep runs in the NCAA Tournament in recent years. This doubleheader sweep to open the season is an encouraging start as the Golden Rams look to build on their past success.

The details

In the first game, Drew Simpson drove in a run in the first inning, and then West Chester added three runs in the second for a 4-1 lead. Pitcher Julian Costa went five innings and scattered three runs on four hits to get the win. In the nightcap, Caleb Strawhecker (Avon Grove) belted a homer to give West Chester an early lead. Two other local high school stars – Oxford's Laden Rozich and Coatesville's Ben Jones – came on in pitching relief and helped the Rams close out the doubleheader sweep.

  • The doubleheader took place on Friday, February 20, 2026.

The players

Drew Simpson

A West Chester University baseball player who drove in a run in the first game of the doubleheader.

Julian Costa

The West Chester University pitcher who went five innings and scattered three runs on four hits to get the win in the first game.

Caleb Strawhecker

A West Chester University baseball player who belted a home run to give his team an early lead in the second game of the doubleheader.

Laden Rozich

An Oxford high school graduate who came on in pitching relief to help West Chester close out the doubleheader sweep.

Ben Jones

A Coatesville high school graduate who came on in pitching relief to help West Chester close out the doubleheader sweep.

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The takeaway

West Chester University's baseball team is off to a strong start to the 2026 season, sweeping a doubleheader against Indiana (Pa.) with contributions from both veteran players and local high school standouts. This early success bodes well for the Golden Rams as they look to build on their recent history of conference titles and NCAA Tournament appearances.