A Family Affair in Columbia
Luke Costello, a rising junior who earned All‑ACC Third‑Team honors in 2026, announced his commitment to the University of South Carolina on Saturday, sending a clear signal that the Gamecocks’ revamped hitting staff is already paying dividends.
Costello’s statistical profile is impressive: a .302 career batting average, 17 home runs, and a .297 average in the previous season, complemented by 93 hits, 90 RBIs and 83 runs scored. He brings a blend of outfield speed and infield versatility that should add depth to South Carolina’s lineup.
His commitment comes just weeks after his younger brother, Andrew Costello, pledged to the same program. The two played together at Cathedral Prep in Erie, Pennsylvania, before moving on to Wake Forest, where Andrew served as the team’s catcher in 2026.
The Costello brothers are part of a larger wave of Demon Deacons moving to Columbia after the hiring of Bill Cilento, a longtime Wake Forest assistant, as the Gamecocks’ hitting coach. Cilento’s influence is already evident in the commitments of other former Wake Forest players such as shortstop JD Stein and pitcher Ryan Brennecke.
The ripple effect extends beyond the college ranks. Top two‑way prospect Brogan Witcher, a California native ranked No. 30 by Perfect Game in the class of 2027, cited his relationship with Cilento as a decisive factor in his own commitment to South Carolina, marking the coach’s impact on high‑school recruiting.
Together, the Costello brothers and their new teammates illustrate how strategic staff changes can reshape a program’s trajectory, turning a modest transfer pipeline into a competitive force in the SEC.