Sokolove Ready For Next Chapter At Illinois State

JT Sokolove SS / 2B / Hudsonville, MI / 2021

HUDSONVILLE - Since the age of seven, JT Sokolove has attended the College World Series. In fact, this is the first year since the tradition started that he did not make the trip to Omaha.

The Hudsonville junior was too busy trying to make his own path to the prestigious event.

“My goal my entire life has been to play college baseball and get to the College World Series,” Sokolove said.

Part one has been accomplished, with the 21st-ranked player in Michigan’s 2021 class committing to Illinois State.

“I started talking to them in the middle of summer,” Sokolove noted. “We were in a tournament in Chicago and they were there to see the other shortstop (Zac Jones) playing with Kentucky. The first three plays were hit to me and then I hit a double and he (Illinois State head coach Steve Holm) asked who I was. He kind of flipped his thoughts on who he was there for. After that they were in contact with me.”

Others came on board after the Future Games, with the fourth-rated junior shortstop in the state getting offers from Ohio U and Wright State as well as interest from the likes of Cincinnati, Michigan State, Michigan, Central Michigan, Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Ball State and Xavier.

But Illinois State remained in the mix.

“They were at the Futures evaluating and said ‘we love what we continue to see,’” Sokolove said. “We were talking and getting to know each other.”

The size, at 5-10 and 165 pounds, stood out to the Missouri Valley Conference school according to Sokolove.