Illinois Picked Fourth in Big Ten by Perfect Game

Baseball January 23, 2020

Illinois Picked Fourth in Big Ten by Perfect Game

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Illinois baseball team is predicted to finish in fourth place of the Big Ten, Perfect Game wrote Thursday. Senior closer Garrett Acton, a returning All-American, was named to the preseason All-Big Ten team.

Illinois finished 36-21 last season, including a 15-9 record and third place finish in the Big Ten. The Illini advanced to the NCAA Regional for the fourth time in the last nine years, helping Dan Hartleb earn D1Baseball's Big Ten Coach of the Decade award.

Acton highlights a strong core of returners after posting a Big Ten record 19 saves in 2019. SS Branden Comia, IF/OF Cam McDonald, 1B Kellen Sarver, and C Jacob Campbell also return after starting most of 2019 and RHP Ty Weber gives the Illini a veteran starting pitcher.

Illinois opens its season Feb. 14 against Milwaukee at Wake Forest. The Big Ten opener is March 27 at Purdue.

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Players Mentioned

#26 Garrett Acton: RHP; 6' 2"; Senior; L/R

#9 Jacob Campbell: C; 6' 0"; Sophomore; R/R

#23 Branden Comia: INF; 5' 10"; Sophomore; R/R

#4 Cam McDonald: INF/OF; 6' 5"; Sophomore; R/R

#18 Kellen Sarver: 1B/C; 6' 2"; Redshirt Sophomore; L/R

#7 Ty Weber: RHP; 6' 4"; Senior; R/R

Players Mentioned

#26 Garrett Acton
: 6' 2"; Senior; L/R
: RHP

#9 Jacob Campbell
: 6' 0"; Sophomore; R/R
: C

#23 Branden Comia
: 5' 10"; Sophomore; R/R
: INF

#4 Cam McDonald
: 6' 5"; Sophomore; R/R
: INF/OF

#18 Kellen Sarver
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Sophomore; L/R
: 1B/C

#7 Ty Weber
: 6' 4"; Senior; R/R
: RHP