Under the guidance of head coach Mike LaRosa, West Chester continues to make strides, advancing in the latest National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) weekly national rankings by three spots, from No. 18 to No. 15.
This ascent in the rankings marks the third consecutive week that West Chester has made its presence felt, showcasing a steady climb since their debut two weeks ago at No. 21. Last week's leap to No. 18 was just a precursor to this week's impressive three-spot advancement.
Notably, the team's current 7-0 record mirrors their exceptional start in the 2008 season when they embarked on a remarkable 16-game winning streak, setting a school record.
This feat echoes the achievement of the 1977 Golden Rams, who also began their season with seven consecutive victories.
With an unblemished record, West Chester stands as the sole undefeated team in Division II baseball. Their recent four-game sweep in Cary, North Carolina, including three nail-biting one-run victories, underscores their resilience and determination.
Offensively, Anthony Boccio leads the club with a .571 batting average to go along with 14 runs scored and seven RBIs. Joe Kaleck has also gotten off to a hot start, posting a 1.491 OPS with a team-leading three homers and 29 total bases.
On the mound, Joe Sperone has tossed 11 scoreless frames over two starts, scattering just nine hits while collecting 13 strikeouts. The staff as a whole has limited opponents to a .231 batting average on the year.
Looking ahead, the Golden Rams are set to defend their perfect record in a doubleheader against Kutztown University at the MSI Sports Complex in Upper Chichester on Friday afternoon. The significance of this matchup is further emphasized by it being the conference opener for West Chester. The first pitch for this anticipated doubleheader at Maple Zone has been rescheduled to 11 a.m.,