NIL Opportunities

Career Highs

• Innings pitched: 6.2, at Elon, Mar 07, 2020
• Strikeouts: 6, Michigan State, Apr 16, 2021 ; Ohio State, Mar 07, 2021
• Walks allowed: 4, Ohio State, Mar 07, 2021
• Batters faced: 29, at Elon, Mar 07, 2020 
• Field chances: 2, Michigan State, Apr 16, 2021 
• Assists: 2, Michigan State, Apr 16, 2021 
• Runners CS: 1, West Virginia, Feb 23, 2020

Sophomore - 2022

• All-Big Ten Second Team
• ABCA/Rawlings All-Region Second Team
• Started 15 games as the Friday night starter
• Fifth in the Big Ten in innings pitched (87.1)
• Seventh in the Big Ten in ERA (3.40)
• 10th in the Big Ten in strikeouts (88)
• 10th in the Big Ten in batting average against (.232)
• Big Ten Pitcher of the Week (4/5) following seven shutout innings and nine strikeouts against Purdue
• No. 4 MLB Draft prospect in the Big Ten by Perfect Game
• No. 5 MLB Draft prospect in the Big Ten by D1Baseball

Freshman - 2021

• Member of the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team
• Academic All-Big Ten
• Appeared in 17 games with four starts
• 3-4, 5.82 ERA, 38.2 IP, 13 BB, 48 SO, 3 SV
• His final 13 apps were out of the bullpen following four starts to begin the season
• Had a 13.2 IP scoreless streak from 4/16/21-5/14/21
• Earned the save in Illinois’ combined no-hitter (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 SO)
• Did not allow a run in 21.0 IP during summer ball with the Kingsport Axmen
• No. 12 MLB Draft prospect for 2022 in the Big Ten by Perfect Game

Freshman - 2020 (COVID-19 Shortened)

• 3-0, 1.35 ERA, 20 IP, 5 BB, 12 SO in 4 games (2 starts)
• Tied for first in wins in the Big Ten, second-fewest in runs allowed (3) and fifth-best ERA in the conference
• Second-most innings pitched on the team
• Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American
• Wins over West Virginia 2/23/20, #23 Oklahoma State 2/29/20, and Elon 3/7/20
• 6 IP, 1 ER against West Virginia
• 3.2 IP, 1 ER vs. #23 Oklahoma State
• 6 2/3 shutout innings at Elon in his last start
• Was one win away from Illinois' all-time freshman top 10 when the season was canceled

High School

• No. 2 left-handed pitcher in Illinois by Prep Baseball Report
• No. 41 left-handed pitcher in the nation by Prep Baseball Report
• No. 12 recruit in Illinois by Prep Baseball Report and Perfect Game
• No. 327 recruit in the nation by Prep Baseball Report
• Three-year letterwiner
• Played for head coach Eric Brauer at Lincoln-Way East
• 10-1, 0.42 ERA, 70 SO as a senior
• 10-2, 1.09 ERA, 89 SO as a junior
• Set nine school records including season ERA (0.42), career ERA (0.85), season wins (10), career wins (21), season strikeouts (89), and career strikeouts (187)
• Two-time Southwest Suburban Pitcher of the Year
• Two-time all-state
• Two-time Southwest Suburban All-Conference
• Two-time Lincoln-Way East MVP
• 2019 Perfect Game All-Tournament Elite Team Jupiter
• Played with fellow Illini Branden Comia and Cam McDonald with the Cangelosi Sparks
• High Honor Roll as a senior
• Volunteered for Special Needs Night, Youth Baseball Camp, serve the homeless, and various Church events

Personal

• Born Dec. 27, 2000
• Son of Steve and Nancy Kirschsieper
• Three sisters, Brooke, Hailey and twin sister Casey
• Plans to major in sports management
• Plans to stay involved in sports through coaching and teaching following his playing career
• Family friend of former Illini John Kravitz
• Chose Illinois over Michigan, Michigan State, Iowa, Kansas, Indiana and Missouri
• Chose Illinois because, "Great educational institution. Comfort level with coaching staff and players. Opportunity to compete against the best teams in the country. Facilities and proximity to home so my family can see me play."