WEST CHESTER, PA - Although last season was cut short due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, West Chester was able to post an impressive record of 12-3, before everything came to an abrupt halt. The Golden Rams' 11-game winning streak was punctuated with a nine-run ninth inning rally that handed West Chester a 14-13 victory over West Liberty in the most unlikeliest fashion.
Back in 2019, West Chester (40-22) claimed its second straight Atlantic Region championship and sixth straight Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East Division title. Almost exactly one year to the day since they last stepped on the diamond, the Golden Rams head into 2021 ranked 21st in the latest NFCA preseason poll and are the favorites in the PSAC East again.
"After one full year, we are just so excited to play," said head coach
Diane Lokey, who returns for her 18th campaign at WCU. "We really don't care who we play, we just want to play."
The NCAA granted a waiver across all three divisions for last year's seniors to receive one more season of competition. Therefore, fifth-year seniors
Bri Garber (Willow Street, Pa./ Lampeter-Strasburg) and
Courtney Stump (Kutztown, Pa./Kutztown) return to a squad that is certainly a contender for the conference crown. The Golden Rams return seven of their eight starters as they try for a seventh straight East title and third straight regional crown.
Garber started all 15 games last season. She ended the 2020 campaign with a .426 batting average and scored 15 runs. She broke the school's career hits record, passing Erin MacNamee's record of 244. She made the All-PSAC East team as well as earning a spot on the NFCA All-Atlantic Region squad in 2019. She returns for her quest to become just the second player in PSAC history to reach 300 hits and third to score 200 runs.
Stump posted a .388 batting average in 49 appearances at the plate. Her return to the infield shores up the defense behind West Chester's pitchers while her bat in the middle of the lineup is sure to drive in runs for the Rams' high-powered offense.
Seniors for the 2021 season include:
Jamie Klemas (South Brunswick, N.J./South Brunswick),
Annamarie Hartman (Phoenix, Ariz./Xavier College Prep) and
Jen Hanshaw (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley).
Inside the Circle
Hanshaw comes back this season as the Golden Rams' only returning pitcher. In 2020, Hanshaw appeared in six games with a 1.02 walks to hits ratio during those 15 games. Although PSAC Pitcher of the Year of 2019,
Reilly Gearhart graduated last spring, Lokey believes that a few freshmen will step up after gaining some experience.
"The freshmen need to learn from their experiences and progress through the season. It is a great opportunity for them," Lokey explained.
Behind the Plate
Sophomore
Trish Kopinetz (Pine Grove, Pa./Pine Grove) started 13 of 15 games last season
. She smashed four home runs, scored 14 runs, and posted a .381 batting average. There are three more catchers listed on the West Chester roster for the 2021 reason, two other sophomores and one freshman. Those include
Haleigh Karcher (Jefferson Hills, Pa./Jefferson Hills), Abigail Quinn (Cheltenham, Pa./William Penn Charter), and
Gianna Fazio (Plymouth Meeting, Pa./Plymouth Whitemarsh) look to fight for time behind the plate.
Around the Horn
Two of the three leading hitters return for the 2021 season. Garber and Stump both listed batting averages over .425 last season. Collecting a total of 42 runs and five home runs between the two of them for the Golden Rams. They make up two of the three returning infielders for Lokey.
Junior
Emily Kim (Bel Air, Md./C. Milton Wright) is a two-year returning starter at shortstop who has patrolled the middle of the diamond with Garber since stepping on campus. That experience up the middle is what Lokey and her young pitching staff will count on in 2021.
Juniors
Maura Casey (Hatboro, Pa./Upper Moreland) and
Elizabeth Moore (Northampton, Pa./Northampton) may be asked to play a larger role with their two years of experience under their belts as well as sophomores,
Meghan Kidd (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan),
Olivia Mock (Clifton, Va./Paul V. Catholic),
Abigail Penjuke (Collegeville, Pa./Methacton), Katelyn Rittenbaugh (Donaldson, Pa.,/Pine Grove) and
Alexa Peterson (Exton, Pa./Bishop Shanahan).
West Chester adds nine freshmen to the books this season, who all look to contribute speed and aptitude to various positions on the field. Those include:
Sierra Marsteller (Orefield, Pa./Parkland), Fazio,
Mary Picozzi (Collegeville, Pa./Lansdale Catholic), Andrea Thomas (Schnecksville, Pa./Parkland), Summer Williams (Middletown, Del./Appoquinmink), Madison Sisz (Columbus, NJ./Northern Burlington), Kylie Funkhouser (McSherrytpwn, Pa./Delone Catholic), Asia Barnard (Levittown, Pa./Neshaminy), and
Anna Torrens (Holmes, Pa./Ridley). Competition for playing time around the horn, especially with three returning starters in the fold, will be intense.
In the Outfield
Seniors Hartman and Klemas started all 15 games last season for West Chester. Hartman accumulated a .333 batting average and four stolen bases while Klemas tallied 11 runs scored and eight RBI.
Left-handed hitting
Gillian Thomas (Spring Mills, WV/Williamsport) is another regular starter in the outfield looking to add a powerful bat in the order. After starting 51 of 55 games as a freshman, Thomas was limited to just four appearances, before the 2020 campaign ended. Sophomore
Madison Melvin (Tabernacle, N.J./Seneca) made 14 starts in 15 appearances as a freshman. She hit .383 while scoring 15 runs. Thomas and Melvin are projected to flank Hartman in centerfield with Klemas splitting time between the outfield and first base.
Freshman Barnard and sophomores
Grace Aguilar (Frederica, Del./Lake Forest) and
Kiley Watson (Perkasie, Pa./Pennridge) all listed as utility players can add their versatility wherever the Golden Rams need them most. Aguilar has the talent to play middle infield while also patrolling the outfield. That depth, coupled with her experience, makes her a vital tool for the Golden Rams' coaching staff and gives them options up and down the lineup.
A Look at the Schedule
The Purple & Gold are scheduled to play 38 games in 2021, before PSAC Tournament and NCAA Division II Tournaments highlight the postseason.
West Chester begins its journey at home on Wednesday with a doubleheader against PSAC East rival, Lock Haven at 1 p.m. That will be followed by a Saturday doubleheader at home with Mansfield. The PSAC returns to its two-division format for the first time since 2015, abandoning the three-division setup used the last five years.
Lokey's expectations for the 2021 season are practical yet positive.
"We want to provide as normal a season as possible within the COVID guidelines," she said. "The athletes deserve as close to a normal as possible season."
