Summer League Highlights
The South Carolina baseball team marked its first official game of the summer league season, signaling the start of Kevin Schnall’s inaugural year as head coach. The roster, assembled to test new strategies, quickly revealed a mix of promising arms and versatile hitters.
Ryan Brennecke, a Wake Forest transfer, stepped onto the mound and posted a 5.63 ERA over 24 innings, striking out 31 batters while walking 17. His performance illustrated a steady progression as he adjusts to the collegiate summer circuit.
Andrew Costello, meanwhile, dominated at the plate in the Cape Cod League, batting .361 across 29 games with four homers and 19 RBIs. His catcher’s skill earned him a spot on the All‑League First Team, underscoring his dual-threat value.
Luke Costello broke a homerless streak in the postseason, hitting .308 with one homer and five RBIs in seven playoff games. The designated hitter’s surge helped lift the team into the later rounds and secured him a place on the All‑League Third Team.
Brandon Cromer and Brice Estep experienced contrasting fortunes. Cromer posted a 7.71 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 11.2 innings but saw limited plate appearances, while Estep struggled at the plate, batting .137 with a lone homer and a dismal .077 in the postseason.
Relief pitchers Andrew Koshy and Jordan Stephens turned in solid outings, with Koshy posting a 2.89 ERA in 9.1 innings and Stephens delivering a 1.06 ERA across 17 innings, including three scoreless frames in his latest start.
Position players added depth: Miles Keogh hit .367 with 22 hits in 60 at‑bats, driving in seven runs and stealing 11 bases primarily at second base for the Alaska Baseball League; Garrett Michel posted a .196 average with six RBIs and a .990 fielding percentage at first base; and Connor Shouse combined a .372 batting average with nine RBIs and a .928 OPS while also pitching an inning that allowed one run.
International exposure came when JD Stein played eight games for the USA Collegiate National Team, hitting .240 with six hits and two RBIs, highlighted by a walk‑off home run in a 10‑0 victory over Korea. His stint abroad reflects the broader reach of the program under Schnall’s guidance.
Overall, the summer league season serves as a proving ground for a young roster navigating Schnall’s first coaching chapter. The blend of domestic talent and overseas experience suggests a foundation upon which the team can build as it moves toward the upcoming collegiate schedule.