INDIANAPOLIS – Head Coach Dave Schrage helped Butler find success in 2017. The Bulldogs set a new program records with 405 strikeouts on the mound, a .973 fielding percentage that included just 51 errors in 51 games, and they notched 31 wins becoming just the fifth team in school history to reach 30 wins or more in a single-season.
 
In his first season at the helm, Schrage spoke about changing the culture of the program. Now, in year two, he wants to embrace last year's success while keeping the focus on moving forward.
 
"Last year was a good first step, but there is a lot more for us to accomplish," Schrage stated. "We want to make our first appearance in the BIG EAST Tournament and to do that we have to finish in the upper half of the conference standings. That is a process that is not easy because there are so many good teams in the BIG EAST."
 
Butler ended the 2017 campaign with a 7-10 record in the BIG EAST to finish fifth in the conference standings. A talented group of returners from last year's team will look to push Butler into the tournament field in 2018.
 
"Last year is over, but we have a lot of guys in the dugout this year that played a lot of innings in 2017." Schrage added. "Guys like [Michael] Hartnagel, [Gehrig] Parker, [Tyler] Houston, and [Garrett] Christman will have to be leaders. It will be up to them to carry us, especially early in the season because we have 14 freshmen on the roster."
 
Tyler Houston led by example in 2017 and because of that he earned some recognition heading into the 2018 campaign. The BU centerfielder shared BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year honors with Anthony Brocato of St. John's after a vote from the league's head coaches.
 
Houston hit .287 a year ago with 13 doubles, one triple and a team-high 12 home runs. He helped Butler reach 31 total wins by scoring 42 runs and posting 38 RBI. A starter in all 51 games, Houston finished the year with a perfect fielding percentage. He made 132 put outs and made five assists without committing a single error. Houston's speed also showed on the base paths. He led Butler with 18 steals on the year.
 
"I'm shocked that Tyler is back," Schrage explained. "Based on how he played last year I thought he would get an opportunity to go play professional baseball. He's a complete player that can hit for power, steal bases and play great defense. When you put that all together you see great numbers. Another thing that makes him special is being able to answer the bell every day. He played in all 51 games and that's tough to do. Heading into his senior year we really just want him to enjoy the moment. Don't try to do too much."
 
Houston will line up in centerfield while fellow senior Gehrig Parker will return to the Butler starting lineup as the team's every day starter in right field. He put together a fantastic junior season which included a .294 batting average, 33 RBI and 32 runs scored. Parker ended the year with 13 doubles, three triples and five homers.
 
"Gehrig was an unsung hero on this team a year ago," Schrage stated. "He hit for a high average and provided us with 21 extra base hits. Parker is experienced and plays very well in the field. We love his attitude towards the game. He is a bring your lunch pail to the park type of kid and our vocal leader in the clubhouse."
 
Harrison Freed will look to take over in left field after seeing some action there a year ago. As a true freshman, Freed hit .306 in 20 starts with 22 hits in 72 at-bats. He showed some power from the plate with four doubles and two home runs.
 
"Freed had a typical freshman year," Schrage explained. "The next step for him is to become consistent. I'm excited for the kind of year he can have. We expect him to grow this year, get better and have a good season. At some point, in his Butler career, he is going to put up some big numbers. I'm not sure when, but it's going to happen."
 
Cole Malloy, Jacob Margroff and Kyle Niemiec give the Bulldogs excellent depth in the outfield. Malloy is a senior that is in the mix to lead off for the Bulldogs as the team's designated hitter. He is also the top option off the BU bench to pinch-run.
 
"Cole gives us energy when we need it," Schrage said. "Every coach loves having a guy like Cole in your program because whether he is playing or not he always has a great attitude. On the field, Cole has improved as a hitter. He may not run the fastest 60 time, but he's a smart base-runner that gets good jumps and he's not afraid to take chances."
 
Jacob Margroff is a 5-11 freshman from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. He can play center or left field and is another candidate for the DH spot in 2018.
 
"Jake is the most athletic player in our program," Schrage stated. "He is going to play some as a freshman. He is the type of guy that comes in early because he wants to learn and get better. On the field, we love his enthusiasm. He plays very hard and will typically end the game with a dirty uniform. He has a fun career ahead of him."
 
Kyle Niemiec is yet another talented outfielder on the BU roster. He saw action in nine games during his rookie season, making four starts. Two of his three hits on the year went for extra bases.
 
"Kyle has battled injuries and was not able to participate much in fall ball," Schrage added. "When he is healthy, he's got power and is a prototype right fielder."