INDIANAPOLIS – Head Coach Dave Schrage has a number of skilled student-athletes on the 2019 roster that can play multiple positions this season. Two-year starter Zach Jarosz and senior Connor Dall highlight this group of infielders.
 
"Early on, we will play a lot of different lineups and it will all work itself out by the time we get to BIG EAST play," Schrage said. "I've always believed that you will have a good season if your older guys play well and that proved to be true for us last year. We need guys like Duncan Hewitt, Zach Jarosz, Connor Christman and Connor Dall to have good years. It's their time to step up, take the reins and lead our team. I believe in our guys so I'm excited about 2019."
 
Jarosz started at second base as a true freshman at Butler and held down that position once again as a sophomore. He hit .227 in 2018 with 15 RBI. He also ranked fourth on the team with 31 runs scored.
 
Jarosz was great with his glove, posting a .977 fielding percentage. This year, Jarosz could split time between second base and shortstop. The other option for the 'Dawgs at short is newcomer Greg Gilbert.
 
"Gilbert is a two-way player that can play shortstop or third base for us in the infield this season," Schrage said. "He is very athletic and will also be able to help us on the mound."
 
Staying on the left side of the infield, Schrage mentioned Brody McGrath as another option for Butler at third base. "McGrath may have the best glove on the team at third base," Schrage stated. "He will see some playing time this year and bat around six or seven in the order."
 
Jarosz can clearly play second base for BU depending on the matchup, but the Bulldogs will also have Connor Dall and Andy Bennett available to fill in on the right side. Both Dall and Bennett will also see playing time at first base along with Connor Christman.
 
"We have really good depth with this group and I love that we have guys that are skilled enough to play multiple positions," Schrage added. "We will be able to use many different lineups throughout the year and be able to make changes depending on if we are facing a left or right-hander on the mound."
 
Two more pieces to the puzzle include Maison Stites and Nathan Dill. Stites is a JUCO transfer from Cowley College that helped the Tigers post 45 wins a year ago. They reached the Central District Region IV Championship game, falling just one game short of reaching the JUCO World Series.
 
BU has options behind the plate as well with Duncan Hewitt and Zach Parker returning to the team. These two players split time at catcher last year, helping the Bulldogs notch 34 wins.
 
Hewitt played in 42 games, making 30 starts. He hit .255 with nine doubles and a triple to help record eight RBI. He only made one error defensively which led him to a .996 fielding percentage.
 
Parker was a .230 hitter that played in 35 games, making 24 starts. He tied Harrison Freed for the team lead in triples with four and also posted six doubles to give him 10 extra base hits.
 
"We always used two catchers last year and we are lucky to have them both back," Schrage stated. "We started with Parker catching two of the three games over the weekend series, and then Hewitt got hot with the bat and we would use him behind the plate for two of the three games. Duncan really improved offensively and part of it is just a maturation process with him being a junior. He was able to play a lot and is now much stronger. I think he will hit well for us again this year."
 
Butler has five total catchers on the 2019 team. Sam Russo will enter his senior season this spring and Jordan Wendel will prepare for his sophomore campaign. The newcomer to the group is Kollyn All, a freshman from Lafayette, Ind.
 
"If you build a good program, there will always be turnover on the roster," Schrage said. "We are now trying to build consistency to this program. Our plan is to keep moving forward in 2019."