Baseball 5/6/2025 2:06:00 PM

Four Millikin Baseball Players Earn All-Conference Honors

DECATUR, ILLINOIS—Four Millikin University baseball players were honored by the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) with selection to the 2025 All-Conference Baseball Team announced on May 5.

Millikin freshman pitcher Caleb Akins (Troy, Ohio, Troy H.S.) was named the CCIW First-Year Student-Athlete of the Year and selected to the All-Conference First Team. Joining Akins on the CCIW First Team is senior shortstop Liam McGill (Bloomington, H.S.) and junior outfielder Sam Bushur (Teutopolis, Teutopolis H.S.). Big Blue senior centerfielder Tyler Gade (Rochester, H.S.) was named to the All-Conference Second Team.

Akins was 4-3 on the season with a 3.88 ERA with 52 strikeouts. The opposition batted just .214 against him. In CCIW games, Akins was 3-2 with a 2.34 ERA holding opposition batters to .168, which was the lowest in the conference. He recorded 36 strikeouts in league play.

Bushur earned All-Conference First Team honors for the second time in his career and has been an All-Conference selection all three seasons. This year he led Millikin with a .405 batting average collection 64 hits, which ranked second in the CCIW. Bushur had a team high four home runs and 43 RBI. Bushur had a .464 on-base percentage and OPS of 1.046.

McGill earned All-Conference for the second time in his career after being a Second Team selection in 2023. McGill led the conference in runs scored with 51. He batted .327 with 16 walks and seven hit by pitches. McGill had 21 stoles bases and upped his career stolen base record to 96. McGill had 112 assists at shortstop ranking second in the CCIW.

Gade earned All-Conference Second Team honor for the second straight season. He as a First Team selection as a freshman. Gade hit .359 with 10 doubles, three triples, two home runs and 34 RBI. He had 17 stolen bases. Gade had 99 putouts and two assists without making an error in centerfield.

Senior Alec Mallinder (Plainfield, Plainfield North H.S.) was named Millikin's CCIW RESPECT Award winner. The CCIW RESPECT award is presented at the conclusion of every sports season with each varsity program recognizing one student-athlete. RESPECT Award recipients have distinguished themselves as an integral member of the team, their institution and community by upholding the values of Responsibility, Enthusiasm, Service, Pride, Excellence, Collaboration and Trust. The RESPECT Award recognizes the intangible traits a student-athlete possesses that exemplify great character and encourages inclusiveness and a positive culture.

2025 CCIW Baseball All-Conference Team

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#9 Sam Bushur: OF; 6' 2"; Sophomore; R/R

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

#12 Alec Mallinder: RHP; 6' 2"; Junior; R/R

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

#11 Caleb Akins: P/INF; 5' 11"; Freshman; R/R

Players Mentioned

#9 Sam Bushur
: 6' 2"; Sophomore; R/R
: OF

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

#12 Alec Mallinder
: 6' 2"; Junior; R/R
: RHP

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

#11 Caleb Akins
: 5' 11"; Freshman; R/R
: P/INF