CHAMPAIGN — Drew Dickinson won’t necessarily focus all of his future closer recruiting efforts on Lemont High School.
But it’s not an idea without merit for the Illinois pitching coach.
The Illini have hit on a pair of Indians standouts at the back of their bullpen in Tyler Jay and Garrett Acton. The former set the Illinois saves record with 14 during the Illini’s Super Regional run in 2015 that propelled the fireballing lefty to the No. 6 overall pick in that summer’s MLB draft.
Nick Blackburn served as the bridge from one record-setter in Jay to another in Joey Gerber during the 2016 season.