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Team Illinois Junior Future Games: Final Day Recap

July 27, 2026
By: Nick DiBenedetto
Area Scout & Content

Game 2 vs. Team Arizona

After a weekend filled with rain, Team Illinois finished up the 2026 Junior Future Games with a double header on Sunday. The first game, an 8:00 AM affair with Arizona, ended in a low scoring loss, 2-0.

The bats were quiet throughout the ballgame, with Team Illinois not recording a hit until the bottom of the fifth inning when C Ahmi Hale (Glenwood, 2030) ripped a single up the middle. Illinois put together tough at bats throughout but were over matched by a solid southpaw from Arizona.

RHP/INF Christopher Morrison (Providence Catholic, 2030) shined out of the ‘pen for team Illinois. Morrison showed plenty of feel on the mound and controlled the run game, picking off two runners. Morrison tossed three innings, allowing no runs, two hits, two walks, and struck out four. Morrison worked a three pitch-mix with the fastball sitting in the upper 70s, topping at 81.1 mph. Shpwed feel for a curveball in the upper 60s with -13.7" of horizontal break, and a changeup in the low 70s with 12" of horizontal movement. 

Despite the low scoring for Arizona, Illinois was unable to scratch across any runs and fell 2-0, falling to 1-1 on the weekend before taking on Team Utah at 10:00 AM.

Game 3 vs. Team Utah

The final game of the weekend for Team Illinois was a back and forth contest with Illinois coming up short in the end, 6-3.

Team Illinois got the scoring started in the top of the first inning, with a single by C Torrey Langston (Homewood-Flossmoor, 2030), later coming around to score on a throwing error by the catcher.

In the third inning, Illinois scratched two more runs across. OF Colton Stillwell (Benet Academy, 2030) roped a single up the middle, OF Griffin Cunningham (Brother Rice, 2030) drew a walk, and Jaden Payton (St. Viator, 2030) continued to stay hot at the plate with a double to the gap, driving in both runners.

INF Noah Fountain (Brother Rice, 2030) was another standout from the week, continuously creating hard contact, finishing the ballgame with a triple. A name to follow in the 2030 class.

Team Illinois put together a quality performance throughout the week with many players making a name for themselves and breaking out as names to follow as they enter their high school career.

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