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Illinois baseball freshman continues hot start with record-breaking effort vs. SIUE

The Illinois baseball team found itself a gem to play first base who just smashed his way into the record books.
ByKellen Sherman|
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Jun 1, 2024; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Nick Mingione shakes hands with Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Dan Hartleb after the game at Kentucky Proud Park. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
Jun 1, 2024; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Nick Mingione shakes hands with Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Dan Hartleb after the game at Kentucky Proud Park. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images | Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

The Illinois baseball team just secured their fourth win in their last five games thanks to a 16-4 rout of the SIUE Cougars at Illinois Field.

It was a potent display of offensive firepower for the Illini, as they triggered the run-rule in the bottom of the sixth inning, which caused the game to end in Illinois' half of the seventh.

The Illini found an extensive amount of offense from all across their lineup, including home runs from infielders Jack Zebig and J.R. Nelson. But out of the twelve Illini who stepped up to the plate on Tuesday, it was freshman sensation AJ Putty who stole the show in Champaign.

Putty, a product of McHenry, Illinois, was ranked as the No. 1 first baseman and the No. 22 overall prospect in Perfect Game's class of 2025 rankings. He was poised to become a major part of Illinois' lineup out of high school and has taken over by recording a .331 batting average with seven home runs and 39 RBIs.

The former Huntley High School Red Raiders' two home runs on Tuesday were a major milestone in the young man's journey through college baseball. He now becomes the first Illinois freshman since Branden Cornia on May 18, 2019, to hit two home runs in a single game.

Putty will continue to put the Illinois baseball team on a completely new level

Putty has been raking in the accolades early in his career. He was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week in mid-February after finishing 9-for-17 with a grand slam and 11 RBIs. Then, at the beginning of April, Putty was named to Perfect Game's midseason All-America first team.

Putty has certainly elevated himself to be the face of this ball club and someone who the program can build around for the future. He has easily become the top talent in Champaign, but the team as a whole just hasn't hit their stride in 2026.

There is plenty of time left for the Illini to turn things around, especially during their current 12-game home stand. But regardless, the Illinois baseball program has plenty of promise for the future, especially with Putty in the fold.

Let's just hope they can keep him in the Orange and Blue and not have another program swoop him up.

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