CANTON — Kash VanHouten will be playing NCAA Division-I college baseball.
The Canton all-state two-way player announced on social media Friday his verbal commitment to Illinois ahead of his junior season.
“I am blessed to announce I will be continuing my academic and athletic career at the University of Illinois,” VanHouten posted, noting his thanks to his parents, especially his dad, ‘for making me the man and player I am today’, his coaches and the Illini baseball staff. “Let’s get to work!! Go Illini.”
During his sophomore season, the 6-foot, 183-pound middle infielder and right-handed pitcher hit .455 on 40-for-88 batting with 11 doubles, four triples, two home runs and 17 RBIs.
He scored 31 runs, drew 12 walks, only struck out seven times and stole 13 bases for the Little Giants, who finished 11-19 and lost in a regional semifinal to eventual Class 2A state third-place finisher Eureka. He was named to the Class 2A all-state first team by the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association.
As the Little Giants staff ace, VanHouten appeared in 10 games, posting a 4-3 record with 87 strikeouts, 22 walks and 2.07 ERA in 44.0 innings. He picked up Mid-Illini Conference wins over Metamora and Pekin, while being named an all-Mid-Illini first-team infielder.
The Fighting Illini finished the 2025 campaign with a 30-24 overall record, 11th in Big Ten play and bowed out in pool play of the Big Ten Tournament.
Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.