Lynnfield High senior Luke DiSilvio has made it official: He’s heading to the Sunshine State next fall to play baseball — and study economics — at the University of Tampa.
DiSilvio said he knows that making the grade at Tampa, the winner of 10 NCAA Division 2 championships, including the last two, will be a challenge. That, however, is a big reason why he chose the school.
“I think a good way to describe why I’m so excited about the opportunity to play at the University of Tampa is that they have players down there who are really good and there is a strong culture of winning,” DiSilvio said. “I want to challenge myself and try to play at the highest level I can. It’s true that it will be a challenge, and I know I have a lot of work cut out for me, but I loved the thought of playing in a warm place year-round that has been so strong historically with so many national titles.
“It was the last offer I got, but once I got it, I was sure it was the place for me. I’m looking forward to this next chapter.”
DiSilvio is a three-sport standout and senior captain of the baseball, basketball and football teams at Lynnfield High. In football, he was the team’s 2025 Offensive Player of the Year, a Cape Ann League second-team selection and a Daily Item All-Star.
He also served as a baseball captain last season as a junior, when the soon-to-be three-year varsity veteran had a breakout year, earning 2025 CAL All-League honors and sharing team Most Valuable Player honors with Tyler Adamo, who now plays Division 1 baseball at Columbia University.
A pitcher, third baseman and spot shortstop, DiSilvio batted .390 with 26 hits, two home runs, six doubles, 30 RBIs, 18 walks and 11 stolen bases.
He was lights-out on the mound, posting a 5-1 record with a 2.02 ERA, allowing 30 hits with 57 strikeouts and nine walks, along with two complete games and one save.
He said being a captain is something he takes very seriously.
“It’s more than just a title, as your teammates look to you for leadership every day,” DiSilvio said. “Being a captain makes you stay on track because you know your actions affect the actions of others. It’s a lot of hard work, but at the end of every season, it’s great to know you’ll have that experience for the rest of your life.”
Pioneers’ baseball coach John O’Brien said DiSilvio “can do it all.”
“He’s a legit player who should have been the league MVP with Tyler last year,” O’Brien said. “He can run, hit and has a hose for an arm. He’s a true multiple-position player. Pitching-wise, he can start, pitch middle relief and close. He threw 86 mph in middle relief in the playoffs last year. He hits with power to the gaps. He works out, is strong and his work ethic is fabulous. He’ll do anything you ask of him. Tampa is a real baseball school, and I believe Luke will do very well there.”
DiSilvio said he was both relieved and excited to have his college decision behind him.
“It definitely was great knowing where I’ll be next year,” he said. “When I got that email telling me I was in, I immediately texted my family (mother and father, Lanae and Michael, twin sister Mallory and older brother Cole). I was so psyched and happy. I can’t wait to get there.”
But first, DiSilvio said he still has unfinished business at Lynnfield High.
“I want to finish my academics strong,” said DiSilvio, whose course load includes Advanced Placement statistics and psychology and honors literature, Spanish and physics.
He’s focused on helping the boys basketball team continue its strong start and make a strong run in the tournament.
“We have so many new players, but things are going so well so it’s been really fun so far,” DiSilvio said. “We’re 4-1 and scoring a lot of points. We have a ton of guys, including some young guys, who are stepping up. We are 100% a tournament team and are getting better every day.”
DiSilvio is also anxious to finish his high school baseball career on a high note. Last season, the Pioneers were the No. 2 seed in the Division 4 tournament. They advanced to the championship game, losing a 3-2 heartbreaker to No. 5 Millbury.
All DiSilvio did was pitch a no-hitter over the final six innings to keep the Pioneers’ hopes for a first state title alive.
“That was tough, but this year it’s going to be great,” DiSilvio said. “We lost a lot of good players, but we have a ton of guys who can step up and help us have a great season. I honestly can’t wait for the spring. Of course, the goal is — and I believe we can — win that state title.”
