West Chester sweeps Shepherd to move into first place

Ranked 18th nationally, the Golden Rams leaned on their starting pitchers and added timely hitting to produce a doubleheader sweep.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 12:11am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the dynamic movements and energy of a college baseball game, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color.A cubist interpretation of the intense on-field action as West Chester and Shepherd battled for first place in the PSAC East.West Chester Today

The West Chester University baseball team, ranked 18th nationally, swept a critical doubleheader against PSAC East rival Shepherd University on Friday. The Golden Rams won the first game 4-2 and the second game 7-1 to leapfrog Shepherd into first place in the division standings. West Chester's starting pitchers Julian Costa and Luke Raho both had strong outings, and the offense came through with timely hits, including a big sixth-inning rally in the second game.

Why it matters

This sweep puts West Chester in the driver's seat in the PSAC East race, with four more critical division doubleheaders remaining in the regular season. Positioning for the postseason and a potential conference championship is at stake as the Golden Rams look to make a deep playoff run.

The details

In the first game, West Chester trailed 1-0 before tying it in the second inning and taking the lead for good with a two-run single in the third. They added an insurance run in the sixth. Starter Julian Costa scattered seven hits over 6.2 innings, striking out eight without a walk. In the second game, West Chester fell behind 1-0 before erupting for seven runs in the sixth inning to rally for the win. Sophomore outfielder Hunter Smith delivered the big blow with a two-run double that sparked the rally. Starter Luke Raho went the distance for the complete-game victory.

  • The doubleheader sweep took place on Friday, April 17, 2026.
  • West Chester and Shepherd will play another critical doubleheader on Saturday, April 18, 2026 in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.

The players

Mike LaRosa

The head coach of the West Chester University baseball team.

Hunter Smith

A sophomore outfielder for West Chester who delivered a key two-run double in the sixth inning of the second game to spark a seven-run rally.

Julian Costa

The senior ace pitcher for West Chester who started and won the first game, scattering seven hits over 6.2 innings with eight strikeouts and no walks.

Luke Raho

The sophomore starting pitcher for West Chester who went the distance for a complete-game victory in the second game.

Devin Mattei

The starting pitcher for Shepherd in the second game who took the loss after West Chester's big sixth-inning rally.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Our pattern is that when the guys are loose, we play really good. When they are thinking too much about the implications, then we try to do more than we are capable of doing. I think we've learned that about ourselves.”

— Mike LaRosa, Head Coach, West Chester University

“Sometimes we go up to the plate trying to do too much. Today it was just important to stand back and try to hit ground balls.”

— Hunter Smith, Sophomore Outfielder, West Chester University

“If our bats don't start off hot, we know it is going to pick up. Even if it happens in the sixth inning, we know we will get there eventually.”

— Hunter Smith, Sophomore Outfielder, West Chester University

“It always feels good to have personal accomplishments, but at the end of the day I want a ring. I want to get to Cary (N.C., home of the NCAA Division II College World Series). That's the goal.”

— Julian Costa, Senior Pitcher, West Chester University

What’s next

West Chester and Shepherd will play another critical doubleheader on Saturday, April 18, 2026 in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. The results of that series will further shape the PSAC East division race and playoff positioning.

The takeaway

This sweep puts West Chester in control of the PSAC East race, but the Golden Rams know they can't let up with four more critical division doubleheaders remaining. Their ability to stay loose and focused will be key as they look to secure a conference championship and make a deep playoff run.