Tusculum's Butler Signs Professional Baseball Contract With Arizona Diamondbacks
August 18, 2005

Courtesy Tusculum College Sports Information Office

PHOENIX --- Tusculum College pitcher Eric Butler has signed a professional contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks announced Pioneer head coach Doug Jones.

Butler was drafted in the 43rd round of the 2005 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft earlier this summer.

Butler, a 6-4, 235-pound right-handed pitcher, went 8-6 last season where he posted a 3.31 earned run average. In his 15 starts, he tossed four complete games, struck out 76 and limited the opposition to hit on .226 against him in his 98 innings of work. He shined late in the season as he won four of his last five starts, posting a 1.65 ERA during that span.

In his last start as a Pioneer, he tossed a two-hit shutout against No. 9 Tampa in the opening game of the 2005 NCAA Division II Tournament. For his efforts, Butler was named to the NCAA South Region All-Tournament squad.

In his two seasons with the Pioneers, Butler went 15-11 with a 3.35 career ERA. He was named to the 2004 All-South Atlantic Conference First Team as recorded a 7-5 record during his freshman season with a 3.40 ERA.

"We are very excited for Eric and he takes this next step in his baseball career," said Jones. "This has been a lifelong dream for Eric and we are very proud of him. Eric isn't just a fine pitcher, but an exceptional young man and it is always gratifying to see good things happen to good people. We wish him nothing but the best in what promises to be a fine future."

Butler, a native of Morristown, Tenn., played his prep baseball at East High School where he was an All-State selection on the mound. He becomes the second player under Coach Jones' tutelage to be drafted. Former All-SAC shortstop Robbie Bouman was selected by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 2004 Draft.

Tusculum enjoyed its best season in school history last year as the Pioneers posted a 44-17 record and advanced to the NCAA Division II Tournament for the second time in three years. TC also claimed its first South Atlantic Conference Baseball Championship and became the first team in league history to win the SAC Tournament with six consecutive victories after dropping its opening tournament contest.

Tusculum College, affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, USA, is a NCAA Division II member of the South Atlantic Conference which is comprised of eight colleges and universities in Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.