INDIANAPOLIS – The Butler Bulldogs will enter the 2017 season under a brand new coaching staff. Head coach Dave Schrage brings 28 seasons of experience as a collegiate head coach after spending the last five years at South Dakota State. He will take the helm after the Bulldogs concluded the 2016 season with a 14-40 overall record.
 
Joined by assistant coaches Ben Norton, Andy Pascoe and Brian Meyer the team looks to turn around after a BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll slated Butler to finish seventh.
 
Coach Schrage said he wants to focus on changing the culture of the program.
 
"We want to have our players in the mindset that they expect to win every game. My hope is that we reach a point where our guys have confidence and to believe in themselves and also believe in the process that we have gone through over these past six months."
 
The Bulldogs lost key starters in catcher Chris Marras and outfielder Drew Small to graduation, but return with the team's core intact. Eight freshmen will add to the lineup.
 
"Every team has a heart and soul and that usually includes veteran leadership," Schrage said. "We return a lot of guys, but we also have a lot of young players that are going to contribute this year."
 
Centerfielder Tyler Houston will provide experience and power at the plate. The junior played summer ball at the Cape Cod Baseball League and was one of four outfielders named to the 2017 Preseason All BIG-EAST Team.
 
"We want pitchers to have to worry about him. He's an important cog to that philosophy of being hard to play against," Schrage said.
 
Houston led the team with 28 RBIs and his .308 batting average was second on the team.
 
Leftfielder Chris Maranto made 28 starts last year and can fill in as lead-off hitter. Junior Gehrig Parker completes the outfield and adds a left-handed hitter to the lineup. Parker and Maranto led the team with three and two home runs, respectively.
 
Holding down the middle infield at shortstop is Michael Hartnagel. The junior played in all 54 games last season and was four games shy of the all-time school record after going on a 20-game hitting streak.
 
Infielders include Jordan Lucio at first, Garrett Christman and Connor Dall. Dall has skills at second, short and third. Behind the plate, Michael DiViesti, Sam Russo and freshman Duncan Hewitt could all see playing time.
 
On the mound, the Bulldogs will look towards veteran left-hander Jeff Schank. His 3.16 ERA led the team last season after making 14 starts.
 
"I'm pleasantly surprised with the depth of our pitching staff," Schrage said. "We lost a lot, but some of the guys that were hurt last year have come back and looked good. That adds to our depth so hopefully we can stay healthy."
 
Connor Mitchell made only three appearances last year due to injury, but has been throwing well during preseason, according to Schrage, and can serve in the weekend rotation. Joining him is Ryan Pepiot. The freshman has a high velocity fastball, matched by a slider and changeup.
 
Highlighting the bullpen is Danny Pobereyko, whose 59 strikeouts tied for team lead. In 18 appearances, he only issued 24 walks. Left-hander Josh Goldberg will provide additional depth, finishing last season with 12 strikeouts and allowing just 11 runs.
 
The Bulldogs will open the 2017 season with two games against LaSalle, and two against Ohio in South Carolina between Feb. 17-19.
 
Weekend Schedule (EST)
2/17: Butler vs. La Salle – 1:00 PM
2/18: Butler vs. Ohio – 3:00 PM
2/19: Butler vs. La Salle – 9:00 AM
2/19: Butler vs. Ohio – 1:00 PM
 
Projected Starters
Friday: LHP Jeff Schank vs. LHP Luke Reilly
Saturday: RHP Ryan Pepiot vs. RHP Logan Jacik
Sunday: LHP Connor Mitchell vs. RHP Mike Anthony
Sunday: RHP Garrett Christman vs. RHP Michael Klein