Illinois’ right-handed reliever Garrett Acton earned a spot on the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper All-America second team following his junior season with the Illini.

The All-American closer put up a 2.18 ERA, .127 batting average against and 95 strikeouts last season, all of which were team bests. Additionally, the 6-foot, 2-inch pitcher also led the nation in saves with 19, setting Big Ten and Illinois single-season records for most saves, earning him All-Big Ten first team reliever honors as well.

Acton also was named a National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award finalist, NCBWA All-America first team and NCBWA District Player of the Year, becoming the third Illini ever to win the award.

Acton performed just as well academically, as he won the Illinois Athletics Junior GPA Award for the highest GPA of all junior student-athletes.

Illinois will kickoff the 2020 season on Valentine’s Day at 11 a.m. CT against Milwaukee in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

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