SHREWSBURY, Ma. - What a great way to cap off 2022. A commitment to Boston College on New Year’s Eve has Luke Gallo staying close to home once his high school days have come to an end.

“I grew up in Massachusetts and grew up around Boston,” Gallo said. “I love Boston, it’s my favorite city.”

There is more that the Phillips Academy Andover sophomore finds appealing about heading to BC to play baseball at the next level.

“It’s Power 5 baseball and I love the coaching staff,” Gallo related. “The new facilities are great. It was just the right place for me. It’s been my first option.”

While Northeastern, Duke and Notre Dame were among the schools considered by the 17-year-old from Shrewsbury, Boston College is the best fit according to Gallo.

“I went to one of their camps in June and they saw me play with NEB during the summer,” the second-rated 2025 shortstop in New England reflected. “I went to another camp in the fall and went to another a couple weeks ago. We talked and they offered.”

BC head coach Mike Gambino was tantalized by what Gallo presented on the ballfield.

“Coach Gambino wants gritty guys that work hard at everything they do and I’m that kind of guy.” Gallo explained. “I give 100 percent all the time. I’m not the biggest guy, but I will work harder than anyone I know.”

Playing for NEB along with some sisterly advice helped the cause in finding a home to play at the next level.

“When I was 12 or 13 is when I started thinking about college baseball and began taking things seriously,” Gallo said. “That’s when I joined NEB. They have some role models that had a big influence on me playing college baseball.

“I also have two older sisters that play college softball,” Gallo added in reference to Erin, a pitcher at Columbia, and Deirdre, an outfielder with Georgetown. “They gave me a ton of advice and that helped me a lot with what would be the right fit for me. My parents have been through it now with the whole family and knew the process.”

Additionally, NEB coaches Scott Patterson and Mike Abraham along with last year’s Phillips Andover head coach Kevin Graber were instrumental in helping the ninth-ranked sophomore in New England along the recruiting path to college.

“I can’t thank them enough,” noted Gallo, who also did one PBR in October “to see where I was at statistically.”

An improved game was also vital in bringing college interest to the 5-10 165-pounder.

“I’ve mostly worked on developing my swing,” Gallo pointed out. “I’ve been working on that with Mike Abraham and my dad, just working on fine-tuning it. I’m not the biggest guy so I’m figuring out how to use my body more and understanding what I can do versus certain pitchers. It’s just fine-tuning things. I’ve kept working at it and it’s all worked out in the end.”

Recruited as an infielder, either third base, shortstop or second base, Gallo is confident he can be a major asset to the Atlantic Coast Conference program.

“On the field, I’ll bring a leader-kind-of guy,” Gallo noted. “ I’m a guy that leads by example. I use my voice and I take charge. I have a drive in me that you don’t see a lot. I give 100 percent with that. Off the field, I go to Phillips which has great academics and BC is a great academic school, so I feel I will be prepared when I get there.”

Business is being considered as a potential major by Gallo, a 3.8 student in high school who is excited to have made a college decision.

“What a great feeling, my family was very happy for me,” Gallo said. “My mom is happy I’m close to home and most of my mom’s family went there. It’s always been my dream to play Power 5 baseball and my parents are very proud of me. But I have to keep working at it to get better, and always stay humble.”

While college is more than two years away, Gallo sees a lot to look forward to when it comes to his future.

“Just the brotherhood,” Gallo said about what he is excited about when it comes to being part of the baseball program at the prestigious university located one hour from home. “That’s another thing I saw at BC, how close everyone on the team is. I also love Boston and the surrounding area. I’ve always wanted to live there. I’m excited about that.”