CHAMPAIGN — When Garrett Acton wasn't selected earlier this month in the Major League Baseball amateur draft, it might have been a surprise to those outside the Illinois baseball program.
Acton, after all, was the regular season saves leader. His 19 saves still lead the nation, despite the Illini's season ending three weeks ago in an NCAA regional in Oxford, Miss.
The postseason accolades have poured in for the former Parkland College standout, who posted a 2.18 ERA in 33 innings with 34 strikeouts to only 18 walks during his breakout first season with the Illini.
The Lemont native has collected first team All-American honors from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and Perfect Game/Rawlings and second team All-American recognition from ABCA and Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.