CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois head coach Dan Hartleb announced Wednesday the signing of ten recruits to the Fighting Illini baseball program. The ten will join the Illini for the 2019 season. 

Tyler Acosta
• Three-year letterwinner
• Played for head coach Pat Wire at Barrington
• Played with fellow Illini Casey Dodge at Barrington
• No. 15 recruit in Illinois by Perfect Game
• No. 22 recruit in Illinois by Prep Baseball Report
• Son of Eddie-Gonzalez Acosta and Vashti Richards
• Father, Eddie Acosta, played minor league baseball in the Milwaukee, Montreal and Los Angeles Dodgers systems
• One younger brother, Jordan Acosta, and one older sister, Eleatee Bass
• Plans to major in business and computer science
• Chose Illinois because, "the great academics and opportunities in superior athletics."
• Committed to Illinois as a sophomore in high school
• Chose Illinois over Tulane, West Virginia, Austin Peay and Iowa


Garrett Acton
• 2016 MLB Draft - 35th Round - Chicago White Sox
• Transfer from Parkland College, will have two years of eligibility left
• Pitched at Saint Louis University as a freshman in 2016
• 2-1, 6.12 ERA, 32 1/3 IP as a freshman at SLU
• Three-year letterwinner at Lemont
• Played for head coach Brian Storako at Lemont
• 2016 IHSABCA Class 3A Player of the Year
• 2016 IHSABCA Class 3A All-State
• 2016 Herald-News All-Area
• Led Lemont to 2014 and 2016 3A state championships
• Drafted by the White Sox and won the 2016 state title on the same day
• Son of Janette Acton and the late James Acton
• Father played football at Purdue, Triton College and Eastern Illinois
• One younger sister, Isabel
• Plans to major in finance
•  Aspires to become a financial planner following his baseball career
• Chose Illinois because, "I thought it offered the best fit academically and athletically, giving me the opportunity to play Big Ten Baseball for a program with a great track record of pitching development while earning a top-tier degree."
• Committed to Illinois in the fall of his sophomore season at Parkland


Jacob Campbell
• Three-year letterwinner
• Played for head coach Mike Victor Herbst at Janesville Craig
• No. 9 catcher in the nation by Prep Baseball Report
• No. 2 recruit in Wisconsin by Prep Baseball Report
• .462, 4 HR, 37 RBIs, 16 SB as a junior
• .301, 18 RBIs, 8 SB as a sophomore
• .269, 7 RBIs as a freshman
• 2017 Big 8 Conference Player of the Year
• 2017 Janesville Craig MVP
• Two-time all-conference
• Set Janesville Craig's single-season RBI record as a junior (37)
• Also played one year of varsity football
• Son of Patrick and Caroline Campbell
• Father, Patrick, played baseball at Wisconsin-LaCrosse
• One brother, Tyler, and one sister, Brianna
• Plans to major in health sciences
• Chose Illinois because, "I formed a good relationship with the coaching staff. When I visited the campus I was amazed at how beautiful the campus was and I could see myself living in the Urbana/Champaign area. The tradition and academic excellence of the school also contribute to why I want to be an Illini."
• Committed to Illinois in the fall of his junior year
• Chose Illinois over Wichita State, Michigan, Illinois State, Nebraska and Virginia Tech


Branden Comia
• Played for head coach Jim Morsovillo at Carl Sandburg
• No. 13 shortstop in the nation by Prep Baseball Report
• No. 4 recruit in Illinois by Prep Baseball Report
• No. 5 recruit in Illinois by Perfect Game
• 2017 PBR All-State
• Three-time SWSC All-Conference
• Son of Frank and Donna Comia
• One brother, Jayden
• Plans to major in business
• Aspires to become a financial adviser following his playing career
• Volunteered over 130 hours
• Chose Illinois because, "it felt like home. It offers a tremendous education. The other commits feel like family to me and I believe we will be able to compete with anyone as a baseball team."
• Committed to Illinois in February 2016, becoming the Illini's first commit to the class
• Chose Illinois over Michigan State, Northwestern and Butler


Josh Garner
• Transfer from Parkland College, will have two years of eligibility left
• Pitched at Saint Louis University as a freshman in 2016
• 1-1, 3.22 ERA, 44 2/3 IP as a freshman at SLU
• Played for head coach John Darlington at Plainfield North
• Conference player of the year in high school
• 2016 Herald News All-Area
• 2016 Illinois Coaches Association Clash MCStrong All-Star
• 2016 Voyager Media Baseball Player of the Year
• Son of Jim and Sandy Garner
• Father, Jim Garner, played baseball at North Central College
• Mother, Sandy Garner, swam at North Central College
• One younger brother, Corey, and one younger sister, Lindsay
• Plans to major in finance
• Aspires to work in the front office of a professional baseball team
• Chose Illinois because, "of its excellent reputation for academics that would provide me with a degree from one of the best colleges in the country. Also, to have the opportunity to play Big Ten baseball has been a goal of mine."


Riley Gowens
• Two-year letterwinner
• Played for head coach Matt Thompson at Libertyville
• No. 19 recruit in Illinois by Prep Baseball Report
• No. 5 right-handed pitcher in Illinois by Prep Baseball Report
• 7-2, 2.25 ERA, 81 SO, 56 IP in high school
• IHSA All-State first team
• Two-time All-North Shore Conference
• All-area first team
• Also played basketball at Libertyville
• Son of Patrick and Tracy Gowens
• One younger sister, Kaitlin
• Plans to major in business
• Volunteers at Feed My Starving Children annually
• Chose Illinois because, "of the coaching staff, facilities, great place to fit in athletically and academically, and a realistic goal of playing in Omaha."
• Committed to Illinois in the fall of his senior year
• Chose Illinois over Kansas, Ole Miss and multiple Big Ten programs


Nathan Lavender
• Three-year letterwinner
• Played for head coach Mike Souhrada at El Paso Gridley
• No. 11 recruit in Illinois by Prep Baseball Report
• No. 5 left-handed pitcher in Illinois by Prep Baseball Report
• 7-1, 0.85 ERA in high school
• 2017 all-state
• 2017 all-conference
• Also golfed in high school and was a two-time conference champion
• Son of Jim and Lisa Lavender
• Father, Jim, played baseball at Marian College
• Uncle, Darrin Frye, played baseball at Marian College
• Cousin, Rye Frye, plays baseball at Evangel University
• One younger brother, Caleb
• Plans to major in political science
• Aspires to pursue a career in law following his playing career
• Enjoys classical music and plays instruments, including the piano
• Volunteers at nursing homes playing music
• Volunteers on construction projects, including building a church in Bloomington
• Chose Illinois because, "the stellar education they offer and because of the solid athletic program I will enjoy being a part of. Also, I chose Illinois due to the prime location in the heart of Illinois."
• Committed to Illinois in the fall of his junior year
• Chose Illinois over Missouri State, Indiana State, Michigan State, Purdue and Southern Illinois


Caleb Larson
• Two-year letterwinner
• Played for head coach John Scherrman at Wheaton-Warrenville South
• No. 27 recruit in Illinois by Prep Baseball Report
• Started on varsity since his sophomore year
• Two-time all-conference
• Son of Todd and Wendy Larson
• One younger sister, Cassidy
• Plans to major in business
• Volunteers in Key Club, Feed My Starving Children and his church
• Chose Illinois because, "I knew Illinois was where I was meant to be the moment I stepped on campus. The athletics and education combined with the coaches at Illinois are awesome. To be able to contribute to the University of Illinois as an athlete and as a student is an honor and I am grateful to be an Illini."
• Committed to Illinois in the summer of his junior year
• Chose Illinois over William & Mary, Illinois State, Louisville and Notre Dame
 

Aidan Maldonado
• Three-year letterwinner
• Played for head coach Chris Swanson at Rosemount
• No. 2 recruit in Minnesota by Perfect Game
• No. 2 recruit in Minnesota by Prep Baseball Report
• No. 97 right-handed pitcher in the nation by Prep Baseball Report
• No. 161 overall player in the nation by Perfect Game, the Illini's highest-rated recruit
• All-conference as a junior
• Three-time all-area
• Son of Daniel and Amy Maldonado
• Mother, Amy, attended the University of Illinois
• One younger sister, Abby
• Plans to major in political science
• Aspires to go into politics following his baseball career
• Chose Illinois because, "the opportunities it gave me. First off, the education that I will be provided is top of the line. The baseball program is awesome. A big selling point for me was the pitching coach Drew Dickinson. I think working with him will allow me to mature as a baseball player and help me reach my ultimate goal of being drafted. Dan Hartleb and Adam Christ are amazing coaches and I think the consensus of everyone there is that we are all working towards getting to Omaha. When I committed to Illinois I knew it was the best decision of my life."
• Committed to Illinois before his junior season
• Chose Illinois over Duke, North Carolina, West Virginia and Minnesota


Cam McDonald
• Three-year letterwinner
• Played for head coach Tom Keegan at Hall Township
• No. 4 recruit in Illinois by Perfect Game
• .421, 12 2B, 7 3B, 2 HR, 42 RBIs, 19 SB in high school
• Led Hall Township to regional and sectional championships as a junior
• Three-time All-TRAC
• Three-time all-area
• Played varsity basketball as a sophomore
• Son of Matt and Julie McDonald
• Father, Matt McDonald, played minor league baseball in the Oakland and Los Angeles Dodgers systems
• Grandfather, Steve McDonald, played football at Illinois State
• One younger sister, Reese
• Plans to major in sports management
• Aspires to coach or become a baseball scout
• Chose Illinois because, "I fell in love with the coaching staff and think they can take me to the next level. Also I know several people in my recruiting class that are just like me and focused on winning at this level as soon as possible."
• Committed to Illinois before his senior year
• Chose Illinois over Kent State and Minnesota