Liam McKillop

University of Illinois Graduate

Registered 15 relief appearances for the Illini during the 2026 season.
Finished the year with a 6.59 ERA and 15 strikeouts across his 13.2 innings pitched.
Tallied four outings with multiple strikeouts.
Made his Illinois debut with a scoreless outing vs. Butler on Feb. 17.
Struck out a season-high three batters vs. Lindenwood on Feb. 25.
Tossed a scoreless frame vs. Western Illinois on March 10.
Posted four consecutive scoreless outings from March 24-April 14.
Allowed zero runs and only one hit while collecting four strikeouts in his final 2.1 innings of work from May 6-14.

All-Ohio Valley Conference Second Team.
Led the Cougar pitching staff with a team-most 24 appearances, tied for sixth-most in the OVC.
Posted a team-leading 2.68 ERA.
Finished 2-0 with two saves over 47.0 innings of work.
Ranked third overall with 53 strikeouts, the most among the Cougars’ relief pitching staff.
Held opponents to a .193 batting average on the season.
Pitched a career-high 5.2 innings against Western Illinois, striking out six while allowing no earned runs (5/2/25).
Fanned a career-best seven hitters in three innings of work against Northern Illinois (3/2/25).

Led the team with 20 appearances, all out of the bullpen.
Tied for the team lead with three saves.
Struck out 26 hitters in 25.2 innings of work.
Worked a season-long 3.0 innings twice (3/16/24 at UIC and 3/24/24 vs. Lindenwood).
Struck out three hitters in a game three separate times.
Picked up his first win of the year vs. Lindenwood, tossing 3.0 innings with three strikeouts (3/24/24).
Earned his first save of the season on March 8 vs. Omaha, retiring four batters across 1.1 innings with one strikeout (3/8/24).

Led the Lakers on the mound with a 7-2 record in 13 appearances.
Fanned 66 hitters in a team-high 71.1 innings of work.
Posted back-to-back shutouts with wins over Olney Central and Wabash Valley (3/26/22 and 4/1/22).
Tallied a win with one earned run and 10 strikeouts at Shawnee CC (3/10/22).
Tossed seven scoreless innings in a victory at Black Hawk College-Moline (3/4/22).
Earned his win of the season against Northeast Mississippi CC, going 5.0 innings and posting five strikeouts (2/18/22).

Made a team-high 21 relief appearances, leading the Lakers with a 2.61 earned run average.
Held a 3-0 record while striking out 30 hitters across 31.0 innings.
Made five saves.
Secured his first-career save in 2.1 innings of work with three strikeouts.
Logged his first win with four strikeouts across three innings in relief against John A. Logan College (3/10/22).

Born on Dec. 20, 2002.
Son of Gerry and Kathy McKillop.
Has two sisters, Aine and Sinea.
Chose Illinois because “it was a dream to play for my state school. I want to help this team win and prove myself at the highest level. I love the bullpen and understanding that pitching wins championships, I want to be a reason that this team goes on to a regional and a Big Ten championship.”
Also recruited by Michigan State, FAU, and Purdue.
Pursuing a graduate certificate in strategic leadership and management.