The South Carolina Gamecocks baseball program is a mere five months away from starting the 2027 season. But before first pitch arrives, new head coach Kevin Schnall is hard at work on the recruiting trail.
That hard work is appearing to pay off. The Gamecocks have landed a verbal commit from 2028 infielder Cooper DeWaal, who plays out of Oakdale High School in Keedysville, Md. The Maryland prospect committed to South Carolina after taking his second visit to Columbia, previously having visited Kentucky. He primarily plays shortstop.
COMMITTED! Go cocks!!
— Cooper DeWaal (@cooperdewaal) September 15, 2026
Thank you Mom and Dad for everything you have done to get me here. Couldn't have done it without you. Love you! pic.twitter.com/WzgHiTajYG
DeWaal reportedly also had visits scheduled for Auburn, Arkansas, Clemson and West Virginia, but cancelled them after deciding to commit to the Gamecocks. For the shortstop, picking South Carolina was easy after talking with Schnall and the rest of the coaching staff. He also sees his ability to develop as a player with the Gamecocks.
South Carolina baseball's 2027 SEC baseball schedule features tough road trips
"The coaching staff is the best in the country," Dewaal said via Gamecocks247. "There's so much depth and so much help. The technology there is beyond anywhere. I trust the coaches with Coach Schnall and Coach Cilento to develop me to become the best player I can. The atmosphere and fan base is top tier, and there's just so many factors that went into it. I knew it was the right place for me."
DeWaal told the outlet that the coaches first reached out to him on Aug. 1, so it didn't take too long for them to land him. DeWaal, who is left-handed, ranks as the No. 3 overall player from his home state of Maryland. He has familiarity with another Gamecocks commit, 2028 prospect Beau Hitte, who committed to South Carolina this summer. DeWaal and Hitte played together this summer on the Canes American team.
With DeWaal's commitment, the Gamecocks now have six verbal commits to its 2028 class. Coach Schnall said when he arrived at South Carolina that he is looking to build an elite roster in Columbia, and it's clear that he is doing that so far.
Congrats to DeWaal on his commitment to South Carolina, and welcome home!
South Carolina baseball fans can see Kevin Schnall play in 4 exhibitions this fall
Add us as a preferred source on Google