West Chester
So here’s the thing about West Chester. The Golden Rams aren’t just good. They’re consistently good. Like clockwork, they win the PSAC, they make deep postseason runs, and they remind the entire Division II baseball world that they belong in the national conversation. And here we are again.

The latest nod of respect? A No. 9 national ranking in the ABCA Preseason Poll, marking yet another year where West Chester enters the season as one of the teams to beat. That comes on the heels of being named the PSAC East preseason favorite (again) and holding top-12 spots in both the NCBWA and DIIBaseball.com polls. And if that’s not enough, the Golden Rams return a lineup that mashed its way to 43 wins last year while bringing back a pitching staff that quietly dominated.

"It's good to get the recognition, but it doesn't mean a whole lot just yet," said West Chester head coach Mike LaRosa. "The next step is following through and doing it on the field."

Let’s start with the bats. Anthony Boccio isn’t just a good hitter—he’s a lineup-wrecking, game-changing, pitcher-demoralizing force. The reigning NCBWA Atlantic Region Player of the Year hit .400 last season, racked up 18 doubles, five triples, and three homers, and drove in 48 runs. At one point, he was flirting with .500 in late March. And when Boccio steps into the box, good luck trying to get him out—he had a 20-game hitting streak, a 20-game on-base streak, and ended the season reaching base in 11 straight. Simply put, he’s a problem.

And he’s not alone. Sean Szestowicki is back after a .354 season with a 1.019 OPS, 15 doubles, and five homers. Then there’s Avery Spencer, who quietly drove in 47 runs while batting .343. The offense isn’t just strong—it’s relentless.

And if you think West Chester is just a bunch of guys who rake, let’s talk pitching. The Golden Rams return two weekend starters in Julian Costa (8-3, 3.41 ERA) and Nick Noga (6-1, 3.69 ERA), while also bringing back bullpen anchors Gannon Kadlecik and sophomore breakout candidate Drew Simpson (6-1, 4.31 ERA in 19 appearances). Kyle Lazer, who led the club in saves, will move to the rotation. That’s the kind of depth that wins in May.

"Costa has been the No. 1 on our staff the last two years and was a Rookie of the Year two years ago in the PSAC," LaRosa said. "He won some accolades last year, but now it's just about his experience. His stuff places him as a front-line starter in the conference, plus now he's pitched in so many big games for us. That's huge."

One thing that makes this team especially dangerous? They don’t just win. They win big. Last year, they stormed through the PSAC to capture their ninth conference championship, claimed the top seed in the Atlantic Regional, and positioned themselves as a national contender before running into a red-hot Indiana (Pa.) squad. If history is any indication, they’re out for revenge.

The schedule sets up for another deep run, with a season-opening pair of doubleheaders against Charleston (W.V.), the same team that played a role in ending their season last spring. A little poetic, don’t you think?

A name to keep an eye on? Freshman outfielder Andrew Dankanick out of Neumann-Goretti. If his name rings a bell, that’s because he hit arguably the biggest homer in state playoff history last year— a walk-off grand slam that clanged off the left-field foul pole to give the Saints their third PIAA Championship.

"A true walk-on for us," LaRosa said. "He'll definitely help us this year as he's a plus-plus runner. We like what he brings to the table."

So, if you’re looking for a team built to win now, built to win later, and built to win often, look no further than West Chester. The Golden Rams don’t just reload. They come back stronger.

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