McGill Stealing His Way into Millikin Baseball Record Book

DECATUR, Illinois—Millikin University sophomore shortstop Liam McGill (Bloomington, H.S.) is stealing his way into the Big Blue baseball record book setting new records for stolen bases in a season and in a career.

McGill has excelled in many areas in his second season with the Big Blue, but his work on the base paths has been truly impressive. With three games left to play in the regular season, McGill has shattered Millikin's record for stolen bases in a season with 34 in 37 attempts. The old record was 24 by Doug Kirhoffer in 1976. After stealing 15 bases in 2022, McGill has established a new Millikin record for a career with 49 in just 77 games. The old record was 45 held by Eric Law and set in 149 games. Both records are sure to climb as McGill finishes off the 2023 season.

The Big Blue have established new school record for team stolen bases in a season with 118 breaking the old record of 102 set in 1990. Twelve different players have stolen at least one base for the Big Blue this season. In addition to McGill, five other player have double figures in steals. Kyle Gibson (Niles, Niles West H.S.) and Tommy Shaw (Elburn, Kaneland H.S.) each have 18 followed by Sam Bushur (Teutopolis, H.S.) with 14, Tyler Gade (Rochester, H.S.) with 13 and Ryan Janssen (Nokomis, H.S.) with 11. Millikin ranks sixth in NCAA Division III in total stolen bases and seventh in stole bases per game at 3.19.

As of May 1, McGill ranks fifth in all of NCAA DIII in stolen bases. He is second in the country in sacrifice bunts with 14 and ranks 22nd in the nation in toughest to strikeout at 22.5 (one strikeout every 22.5 at bats).

McGill is currently batting .304 on the season with five doubles and one triple. He has 23 RBI.

Millikin finishes off the regular season with three games this weekend. The Big Blue host Illinois Wesleyan at 3 p.m. on Friday, May 5 and face North Park University in a doubleheader on Saturday, May 6 starting at 1 p.m. All games are at the Workman Family Baseball Field.

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Players Mentioned

#21 Tyler Gade: OF; 5' 10"; Sophomore; L/R

#19 Kyle Gibson: INF; 6' 0"; Sophomore; L/R

#6 Liam McGill: MIF; 5' 8"; Sophomore; R/R

#5 Tommy Shaw: INF; 6' 1"; Junior; R/R

#18 Sam Bushur: UTL; 6' 2"; Freshman; R/R

#11 Ryan Janssen: C; 5' 11"; Junior; R/R

Players Mentioned

#21 Tyler Gade
: 5' 10"; Sophomore; L/R
: OF

#19 Kyle Gibson
: 6' 0"; Sophomore; L/R
: INF

#6 Liam McGill
: 5' 8"; Sophomore; R/R
: MIF

#5 Tommy Shaw
: 6' 1"; Junior; R/R
: INF

#18 Sam Bushur
: 6' 2"; Freshman; R/R
: UTL

#11 Ryan Janssen
: 5' 11"; Junior; R/R
: C