2025 (South Carolina): Played in 19 games, making six starts in his sophomore season… Scored three runs, added a pair of extra-base hits, and drove in five runs in 2025... Recorded first career home run with a blast and three RBI’s against Milwaukee (Feb. 23).

2024 (South Carolina): Made six starts in 12 appearances for the Gamecocks in his freshman campaign… Recorded two doubles, five RBIs, and three runs scored during the season... Tallied a three-hit performance with three RBIs versus Queens (Feb. 21).

Previous: All-State selection in his senior season at Huntley High School… 2023 Northwest Herald Baseball Player of the Year… 2023 NHSBCA All-Region 4… Hit at a .406 clip with 13 home runs and 37 RBIs in his senior season… Ranked as the no. 9 player in the state of Illinois and the 15th-best catcher in the 2023 recruiting class according to Perfect Game.

Personal: Son of Melissa and Christopher Bakes, his twin brother Brayden also plays at Illinois State.