Julian Costa delivered a dominant performance in Game 1, throwing a complete-game no-hitter to lead No. 8/10 West Chester (4-2) to a split against St. Thomas Aquinas (2-4) on Friday at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, N.C. The Golden Rams cruised to a 6-0 win in the opener before falling 4-3 in extra innings in Game 2.
Costa was masterful, becoming the first pitcher under head coach Mike LaRosa to throw a no-hitter and just the second in program history, joining Nicholas Frank (1947). The hard-throwing lefty carried a perfect game into the seventh before issuing a two-out walk—his lone blemish of the day. He finished with nine strikeouts in the historic outing, securing his second win of the season.
John Dunion had a stellar day at the plate, collecting three hits across the doubleheader, including a pair of two-run homers. He tied the nightcap at 3-3 in the fourth with his second blast of the day and third of the season. West Chester threatened in both the sixth and seventh but couldn’t push across the go-ahead run, sending the game to extras.
West Chester turned to five pitchers in Game 2. Evan Wineburg suffered the tough-luck loss, allowing one run on two hits while striking out two in relief. Nick Noga got the start but lasted just two innings, surrendering three runs on three hits and three walks while striking out three. David Ferguson followed with two perfect frames, while Ben Jones and Patrick Taney also delivered scoreless relief appearances.
In the eighth, STAC used a double to put a runner in scoring position before Brian Klumpp delivered the go-ahead RBI single. West Chester couldn’t respond in the home half, sealing the 4-3 loss.
In Other Philly Action
Gabe Silva drove in four runs, while Danny Kerr tossed six solid frames, allowing one unearned run while collecting 10 strikeouts to carry Jefferson to an 11-1 win over Clarion.
