PHILADELPHIA — Picked third in the PSAC East preseason coaches poll, West Chester enters the spring in a familiar spot — close enough to the top to be dangerous, far enough away to keep the focus internal.
The Golden Rams are coming off a 35–17 season, including a 17–11 conference mark, and an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament before falling to Fairmont State and East Stroudsburg. The finish stung, but the foundation remains intact, built on an offense that consistently produced and a pitching staff shaped by experience.
For head coach Mike LaRosa, the preseason ranking is less about validation and more about balance.
“Being picked first can sometimes create expectations that don’t help,” LaRosa said. “Being third keeps the attention where it belongs — on the work.”
West Chester’s lineup brings back proven bats, starting with senior first baseman Austin Stalker, who emerged as one of the most complete hitters in the PSAC last season. Stalker hit .327 with a .990 OPS, drove in 44 runs, and slugged .541, pairing power with plate discipline (29 walks) across 51 games.
Behind the plate, sophomore Caleb Strawhecker returns after a breakout freshman campaign that earned PSAC Rookie of the Year honors. Strawhecker hit .325 with five home runs and a .966 OPS, providing both run production and stability while managing the pitching staff.
In the middle infield, sophomore Patrick Gozdan took advantage of increased opportunity late in the season and made it count. He hit .328, drove in 13 runs, and reached base at a .409 clip, positioning himself for a larger role this spring.
That returning production matters for a team that won games in multiple ways a year ago — grinding out at-bats, taking extra bases, and applying steady pressure rather than relying solely on the long ball.
“That transition from freshman to sophomore year is always a big one,” LaRosa said. “Getting time at the back end of last season was really good experience for Patrick. Now he’s ready to be an everyday guy, which he wasn’t at this time last year, and he had a really good fall for us as well.”
While the offense supplies continuity, West Chester’s identity still begins on the mound.
The Golden Rams return a veteran group led by seniors Nick Noga, Ryan DeHaven, and Patrick Taney, along with juniors Kyle Kearns and Ben Jones, all of whom have logged meaningful innings in PSAC play.
At the front of the rotation, redshirt senior Julian Costa returns for his fourth season as a conference starter. In 2025, Costa went 8–3 across 14 appearances (11 starts), striking out 61 batters in 60.2 innings. His 4.60 ERA and 1.32 WHIP reflect a pitcher who has navigated the league long enough to be heavily scouted — and who now enters the season with an expanded pitch mix.
“He’s pitched in this league for three years,” LaRosa said. “What’s changed is how he’s attacking hitters and how he’s using his stuff.”
The most visible change comes in the outfield, where West Chester retooled through the transfer portal.
Senior Carter Rust, a transfer from Charleston (W.V.), is expected to anchor center field and set the tone offensively. Rust brings size, speed, arm strength, and familiarity with PSAC competition.
Graduate student Andrew Kell, a former Division III Player of the Year at Salisbury, adds an advanced bat to the corner, while senior Christian Michak, a transfer from Marywood, brings speed and contact skills.
Sophomores Hunter Smith and Luke Raho, both Mansfield transfers, deepen the mix, with Smith providing power potential and Raho offering two-way versatility.
Whether picked first or third, the expectations inside the program remain constant.
“The poll doesn’t decide anything,” LaRosa said. “Our standard stays the same.”
With returning offensive production, veteran pitching, and a retooled outfield built on athleticism and depth, West Chester opens the spring positioned to remain firmly in the PSAC title conversation — exactly where it expects to be.
“I’ve coached a lot of teams here, but this may be the deepest we’ve ever had,” LaRosa said.
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