NORMAL, Ill. – Seventh-year Illinois State head coach Steve Holm and the Redbird baseball program have announced their 2025 signing class.

The class consists of five new Redbirds who have signed athletic scholarship agreements and will continue their athletic and academic careers at Illinois State University.

The incoming Redbirds include Zach Bava (Naperville, Ill.), Jackson Natanek (Palos Heights, Ill.), Dominic Panozzo (Bourbonnais, Ill.), Carter Sellers (Maineville, Ohio), and Brayden Zilis (Minooka, Ill.).

Zach Bava | C | 5-8 | Naperville, Ill. | Naperville North HS

Coach Holm: "Zach Bava is the 4th ranked catcher in the state of Illinois from Naperville North High School. Zach is a high energy catcher who seems to make all those around him better. Along with a plus arm behind the plate, the left-handed hitting catcher has proven he has a true hit tool."

Jackson Natanek | INF | 5-10 | Palos Heights, Ill. | Brother Rice HS

Coach Holm: "Jackson is the 6th ranked SS in the state of Illinois from Brother Rice High School. Natanek has multiple tools, he has shown plus bat speed and the ability to take mature at bats against high level pitching, to go along with his glove work. Jackson also pitches, he possesses a 91-mph fast ball that he couples with a 2800 spin slider."

Dominic Panozzo | RHP | 6-2 | Bourbonnais, Ill. | Bishop McNamara HS

Coach Holm: "Dominic Panozzo is a late blooming right-handed pitcher from Bishop McNamara High School in Illinois. Dom jumped on the recruiting scene this summer flashing a heavy fastball up to 94 MPH plus a changeup and curveball to go with it. Panozzo can control games on the mound with the three-pitch mix. We see Dom having to ability to be a starting pitcher for the Redbirds when he gains experience."

Carter Sellers | LHP | 6-6 | Maineville, Ohio | Little Miami HS

Coach Holm: "Carter Sellers is a big left-handed pitcher from Little Miami High School in Maineville, Ohio. Sellers has proven that he can use multiple pitches and the big frame will allow for much more to come. Carter, who is already 6'6, reminds the staff of a young Brent Headrick."

Brayden Zilis | INF | 5-10 | Minooka, Ill. | Minooka HS

Coach Holm: "Brayden Zilis is the 5th ranked SS in the state of Illinois from Minooka HS. Zilis is a plus runner and plus defender who we believe will be able to impact our game immediately. Brayden is a left-handed hitting SS with bat to ball skills and gets down the line very well."

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