Coach Butler talks Shocker baseball

With early injuries plaguing the depth of Todd Butler’s team last season, Shocker baseball got off to a rocky start. This year nine returning pitchers look to bring back experience the team spent a season searching for.

“We have nine pitchers back with experience,” coach Todd Butler said. “To have your weekend rotation back is huge. It’s a big positive right there.”

With top national pitcher Sam Tewes and weekend starter Willie Schwanke both off the mound last season, the bullpen was stretched thin.

Injuries are a common facet to any baseball team, but having multiple guys of the same position plagued with injury is a winding situation Butler doesn’t often like to find himself.

Butler was faced with building a starting rotation comprised of his relievers. Now with nine experienced players returning to the mound, Butler has a chance to create some depth.

“We tried to put more depth at the mound and in the field.”

The first practice of the season will kick off Friday. From there, Coach Butler will get to see where he wants to spend time making final tweaks before opening day.

“Right now every coach thinks they have a chance to have a good season,” he said.

Butler said despite it being early, he remains poised with confidence looking ahead on the upcoming season.

“We do have more depth than we’ve had in the past,” Butler said. “The big key is staying healthy.”

The goal isn’t short-term for Butler. The second-year coach has his hopes set on a future as bright and cherished as the glory days of Shocker baseball.

“It’s time for us to do what we need to do,” Butler said. “It’s time for our players and coaching staff to accept the responsibility of the Shocker tradition.”