Baseball Picked 5th in 2024 KJCCC West Coaches Poll

The Butler baseball squad was picked to finish fifth in the 2024 KJCCC West Division coaches poll that was announced Thursday.

Butler was chosen to finish smack dab in the middle of the league in fifth. Barton was picked to finish in first followed by Cloud County, Hutchinson, Seward, Butler, Dodge City, Colby, Pratt and Garden City.

For the first time in 13 seasons, the Grizzlies will have new leadership as Butler baseball alum and longtime assistant Ty Reese was named the seventh head coach in program history on Sept. 13th, 2023.

Reese's staff looks familiar as Taylor Sanagorski remains on staff, receiving a promotion to associate head coach in his fourth season in El Dorado. Austin Bonnel is back for his second season as an assistant coach, adding recruiting coordinator to his title ahead of the 2024 season.

Reese will bring back 21 returners to the 2024 squad including RHP Caden Kickhaefer and infielder Justin Hudson who both earned All-KJCCC honors in 2023.

Butler finished 39-23 overall and 21-11 in league play last season, advancing to the Region VI championships in Wichita before bowing out to KCKCC.

In the east division of the KJCCC, 2023 NJCAA World Series participant Johnson County was picked to win the league followed by Cowley, KCKCC, Fort Scott, Coffeyville, Neosho, Allen, Highland and Labette.

Butler opens its season on Feb. 7th with a doubleheader at NWOSU taking on their JV squad at 1 and 4 p.m. The first home game of the season is March 1st at noon vs. Des Moines Area CC.

2024 KJCCC West Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll

1. Barton
2. Cloud County
3. Hutchinson
4. Seward County
5. Butler
6. Dodge City
7. Colby
8. Pratt
9. Garden City