by Logan Hanson
FightingIllini.com
Garrett Acton is having a historic season for the Illini. Although Acton made history Tuesday with his Illinois record 15th save on the mound for the Illini, he does so while honoring his past.
In October of 2015 during Acton's senior year at Lemont High School, Garrett's father, Gordon Acton, died unexpectedly. Acton, who had already become a strong prospect during his junior season, dedicated his final year at Lemont to his father. The season culminated in Lemont winning the 3A state championship over Springfield in June 2016. Acton started the game and was practically flawless surrendering only three hits in a 10-0 Lemont victory. For Acton, that championship was significant for both him and his father as the win marked a dream come true for the two.
"That state championship was kind of a culmination of our goals and dreams and it really meant a lot to me to be able to win that," Acton said. "It meant everything to be able to achieve that goal that we both had and it's something that I still work to try to pursue his goals and my goals for my career."
The main goal of the pair was for Acton to become the best baseball player he could be and have his career take him wherever he goes. By pursuing that goal, Acton ended up at Illinois following one season at Saint Louis University and another at nearby Parkland Community College. Although his collegiate career didn't start the way he had planned, Acton couldn't be happier with his opportunity to play at Illinois.
"Everything's been great. It couldn't have worked out any better," Acton said. "I absolutely have loved my time and I couldn't ask for a better spot to be at."
Acton's performances this season have garnered attention on a national level as well. Acton was named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Midseason Update, which honors the nation's top reliever. Acton is honored to be a member of the list, but knows that the most important thing for him is to win games.
"It's a great honor to be a part of that list. That means I have been able to put myself in a position and be able to compete with this team where I am considered among the best in the country at what I do," Acton said. "That's something I have worked for my whole life and it's something I continue to work toward, just gotta continue with a chip on my shoulder, keep working hard and let things play out as they do but hopefully just win ballgames."
Although the season saves record is now under Acton's name, he feels that this opportunity wouldn't be able to occur without the success of his team. For Acton, the saves record is one thing, but being a part of this team is what will be the memorable thing.
"It's a great accomplishment, definitely something to look back on after my career here is done and I would be very proud of that," said Acton on the saves record. "But mostly I'm just proud of being on this team. Being able to get saves is a byproduct of us being in a position to win…that's a testament to how good we are as a team, constantly being in positions to win games so in the end it's great to be able to have the saves record, but to me it's more important to help this team win games."
As Acton has made his way into the record book, he hasn't done it alone. Each time Acton goes onto the mound to help the Illini close out a game his dad will be with him, reminding him how to throw each pitch and live each day.
"Every day I still go out and play in his memory that's still something I carry with me every day," Acton said. "I just want to play and live how he'd want me to."
