Preseason Spotlight on the 2005 Butler Bulldogs Baseball Team
Feb. 18, 2005
The Bulldogs came within one game of putting together three consecutive 30-win seasons for the first time in school history a year ago. The team's performance in the Horizon League tournament typified the season for head coach Steve Farley's squad - two big wins over UW-Milwaukee and Detroit, along with heartbreaking one-run losses to eventual tournament champ Youngstown State and runner-up Cleveland State.
"We won some huge games last season," said Farley. "But we had more tough, one-run losses than I can ever remember. We've consistently been one of the top teams in our league, so our guys were disappointed not to be playing on championship Sunday at last year's tournament. At the same time, I'm very proud of what the team accomplished, considering the major injuries we had during the season."
The Bulldogs lost three pitchers to injuries before the season began, and shortstop Justin McKinley didn't play until the second half of the season. Still the Bulldogs managed to knock off several top opponents, while also beating every team in the Horizon League at least once.
Farley looks for continued success in 2005. "One thing that our coaching staff has been very impressed with is the team chemistry this year's squad seems to have," added Farley. "Guys seem to be pulling for each other and genuinely helping each other more than what I've seen in some other teams. We are a young team, but we have plenty of talent. When you have good team chemistry, and you catch a couple of breaks along the way, big things are possible."
PITCHING
Despite the fact that the Bulldogs lost two starters and their top relief pitcher to injuries early in the season last year, Farley pieced together a mound corps that found a way to battle all season. "Our downfall last year was not having a reliable closer-type guy we could go to late in the game. We lost too many games by one run. One of the keys to our season will be finding some guys who can come in and take care of business in the ninth inning."
Junior lefthander Craig Costello led the Horizon League with nine wins in 2004, including a no-hitter against UW-Milwaukee. He returns as a top starter. Farley also hopes that lefthander Josh Rudolfi, who missed nearly all of last season, and 2004 starter Matt Byzet bounce back from off-season arm surgeries. Byzet was Butler's Freshman Player of the Year last season, while Rudolfi was a top hurler in 2003. Newcomer Brian Deter led Lawrence Central High School to a state championship in 2004, and Farley was impressed by the righthander's ability to get good hitters out during the fall season. Senior Jim Knytych, who pitched in 14 games last season, and freshmen Jon Dages, Bryan Bokowy and Josh Vollmer all had strong performances in the fall. Juniors Pat Feeney, who had the team's top ERA in 2004, Jay Kelty and Brian Smith all saw action in Butler's bullpen a year ago, while outfielders Dustin Bucalo and Jason Combs worked out as relief pitchers during the fall. "We have nine or ten guys who can be effective and there will be a lot of competition on the staff for innings early in the season.
CATCHING
Junior Brandon Tormoehlen showed the most consistency behind the plate during fall workouts, and he enters the spring as Butler's starting catcher. He impressed Butler's coaches with his blocking ability, increased arm strength and leadership skills. Sophomore Joe Dempsey, who started 38 games as a freshman, adds a strong arm and power hitting and gives Farley excellent depth behind the plate. Dempsey shared the team lead in home runs and had a .452 slugging percentage last season. Farley also can call freshman Kyle McLaughlin, who demonstrated hitting skills during the fall.
INFIELD
Senior stalwarts Justin McKinley and Ryan Nance graduated, but the Bulldogs return several veterans to go along with a talented group of freshmen. Butler should be solid up the middle with the return of senior second baseman Jeff Brown and junior shortstop Stephen Gill. Both players started more than 50 games a year ago. Brown batted .279 with a team-high 14 doubles, while Gill hit .263 and scored 37 runs. Gill led the team in assists, while Brown was second. Freshman Ryan Neat showed solid hitting skills in the fall, and he'll compete for time at second base, while freshman Joe Pauley, who led his high school team to an Illinois state championship, will look to back up Gill at shortstop. Sophomore Tony Barnes is making the switch from third base to first base, where he'll compete with junior Clayton Deeb and senior Robby Santoni. Barnes batted .274 as a freshman, while Deeb shared the team lead in home runs. Santoni has solid power from the left side of the plate. Sophomore Matt Ferguson, who transferred from Dayton, and freshman Alex Rinearson give Farley two solid options at third base. Ferguson was solid defensively during the fall, while Rinearson brings strong hitting credentials.
OUTFIELD
The Bulldogs appear set in the outfield with three seniors projected for starting roles. Leading that trio is Dale Mueller, who has been one of Butler's top performers for three straight seasons. Mueller batted .361 last season, after leading the Horizon League with a .391 average in 2003. He's been named first team all-league for two straight seasons. Matt Martino, who can also play first base, is slated for leftfield, while Jonathan Day will round out the outfield corps. Junior Mike Rosen, who batted .283 a year ago, was injured during the fall, but he'll compete for time in leftfield and as a designated hittter. Bucalo and Combs both have solid outfield skills and strong arms. Sophomore Aaron Thompson, a starter on Butler's men's soccer team, returns for his second season, along with sophomore Ricky Chomicz. Freshman Nate Hart also will bid for time in the outfield.
