A Freshman’s Call‑Up
Aidan Flinn, a freshman pitcher for the Fighting Illini, has earned an invitation to the 2026 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team Training Camp, a stepping stone toward the World Collegiate Baseball Championship in Taichung City, Taiwan.
During his debut season with Illinois, Flinn posted a 2.67 earned run average across 14 appearances, striking out 51 batters while maintaining a 0.87 WHIP and limiting opponents to a .188 batting average.
Camp Schedule and Competition
The training camp will run from June 24 to July 5 in Cary, North Carolina, where Flinn will face off against the CNT Stripes and a series of Appalachian League opponents as the staff evaluates the national roster.
Illinois head coach Dan Hartleb, named manager of the 2026 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team on February 18, will oversee the camp and guide the exhibition schedule, which includes matches against teams from Chinese Taipei, Japan and Korea.
Looking Ahead
Flinn’s selection underscores the Illini’s growing presence on the national stage and adds to the excitement surrounding the upcoming Big Ten Tournament opener against Iowa.