The defending BIG EAST Champion Bulldogs begin the 2017 season on February 10 at the Total Control Sports Invitational in Rosemont, Ill. The Bulldogs will play five games in three days. Coach Scott Hall and assistant coach Jenna Grim are joined by assistant coach Stacey Goyette for the 2017 season.
 
"Last year's postseason run taught us that it's never over until it's over," said Hall, who enters his seventh season. "There will be good games and there will be days when we don't play as well, but I want this team to come with the mindset that we are going to constantly improve throughout the season."
 
Maggie MacBeth earned All-BIG EAST and All-Region honors a season ago. Her .380 batting average led the team and her 62 hits set a new Butler single-season record. Doud started all 52 games last season, hitting .314 on the season and leading the Bulldogs with six home runs and 41 RBIs. Alyssa Lach and Cheyenne Thompson were the starting left side of the infield in 2016 and both will play a large role this season. Lach's 25 RBIs were fourth on the team. Freshman Madi Christiansen will make an immediate impact, seeing time at first base.
 
"Offensively, we can sit back and try to use our power at times, but we have the speed to produce runs if our bats aren't as hot as we'd like on a given day," said Hall. "We have versatility with a number of players and how they can approach different at-bats, where they can hit in the order, and where they can play in the field. As a coach, that flexibility allows us show a lot of different looks based on match-ups."
 
Sarah Dixon returns to anchor the outfield. Dixon started all 52 games for Butler and batted .276 last season. She was named the MVP of the 2016 BIG EAST Tournament. Katelyn Cahill and freshman Alyssa Garcia will see time at the corner outfield spots, along with several of the team's sophomores and freshmen.
 
Brandyce Sallee started 51 games a season ago and had a .310 batting average, which was third on the team. Sallee led the team with 13 doubles and was second on the team with 34 RBIs. For the 2017 season, she will move to catcher as graduation and injuries have impacted the position. Thompson and Sammy Anderson are among a group of players who will also see time behind the plate.
 
Mikelia Boroff returns to the circle as the Bulldogs' most experienced thrower. She pitched 101 innings last season, posting a 3.26 ERA. Kacey Starwalt, Ambry Turpen and Kaitlin Doud will also be significant contributors to the pitching staff. Gabbi Schnaiter comes to Butler from nearby Fishers High School, earning Hamilton County's 2016 Player of the Year honors.
 
"We lost a lot of experience with the graduation of (Kristin Gutierrez)," said Hall. "Other than Mik, a lot of our staff will be getting meaningful experience on the fly. Everyone is looking find their spot in the rotation."
 
BIG EAST coaches predicted the Bulldogs to finish third in the 2017 BIG EAST standings. The team will be on the road all of February and most of March, with the first game in Indianapolis scheduled for March 25 against DePaul.