West Virginia University’s first trip to the College World Series gave reliever JD Costanzo memories he said he’ll carry for life, even if he wished he could have contributed more on the mound.
Costanzo, a left-handed pitcher and redshirt freshman from North Allegheny, was part of the Mountaineers’ record-setting 47-17 season that culminated with WVU’s debut in Omaha, Nebraska. The team went 2-2 in the College World Series, finishing with a semifinal loss to No. 5 North Carolina, 12-7, on June 17.
What the trip meant to players
For Costanzo, the scale of the event was overwhelming. He described standing in a 24,000-seat stadium and joining his teammates in a postgame rendition of “Take Me Home, Country Roads” after a 7-5 victory over Troy in the CWS opener — a moment that underscored how far the program has come.
“It was pretty surreal being in Omaha,” Costanzo said. “It was unbelievable.”
The Mountaineers also celebrated a 12-0 win over Troy earlier in the run to reach the final four and enjoyed team activities in Omaha, including a tour of nearby Offutt Air Force Base. Players returned home with keepsakes: two large gear bags filled with sunglasses, Nike apparel, wallets and other souvenirs from the trip.
Costanzo’s season and recovery
Costanzo missed his true freshman season at WVU after undergoing Tommy John surgery. This season he saw limited action as a relief pitcher on an experienced staff, appearing in four games and logging 2 2/3 innings.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 4 |
| Innings pitched | 2 2/3 |
| Win-Loss | 0-0 |
| Earned run average (ERA) | 13.50 |
| Strikeouts | 3 |
| Walks | 3 |
WVU pitching coach Justin Oney praised Costanzo’s work ethic and progress returning from injury, noting the left-hander has shown “some flashes in the 2026 season of returning to form” and called him “passionate about pitching and being a Mountaineer.”
Legacy and outlook
Beyond individual stats, Costanzo emphasized the program’s arc: from a time a decade ago when the team’s future was uncertain to now competing on college baseball’s biggest stage. Even as a seldom-used reliever, he said simply being present in Omaha — on the mound or in the dugout — was an experience he’ll remember.
- WVU’s best-ever season: 47-17 overall record.
- College World Series: First-ever appearance; 2-2 record in Omaha.
- Personal comeback: Costanzo returned from Tommy John surgery and made four appearances this season.
The Mountaineers’ run to the College World Series has set a new benchmark for the program and given younger players like Costanzo a foundation to build on as WVU aims to sustain its recent success.
