Last season the Butler men’s basketball team was in a fight for first place in the Horizon League throughout the season. But where will this season’s team finish in the standings?

Photo by Rachel Anderson

Here is a look into my projected Horizon League standings for the 2011-12 season.

10. Illinois-Chicago
—2011-12 projected record (28 games): 9-19 (3-15)

9. Youngstown State
—2011-12 projected record (28 games): 10-18 (3-15)

8. Wright State
—2011-12 projected record (30 games): 13-17 (6-12)

7. Wisconsin-Green Bay
—2011-12 projected record (28 games): 14-14 (7-11)

6. Loyola
—2011-12 projected record (28 games): 15-13 (7-11)

5. Valparaiso
—2010-11 record: 23-12 (12-6)
—Lost: guard Brandon Wood, forward Cory Johnson, guard Howard Little
—Returning: guard Ryan Broekhoff, guard Erik Buggs, forward Kevin Van Wijk
—Skinny: The Crusaders will look for leadership and production from the above trio.
—2011-12 projected record (33 games): 22-11 (10-8)

4. Wisconsin-Milwaukee
—2010-11 record: 19-14 (13-5)
—Lost: guard Tone Boyle, forward Anthony Hill
—Returning: forward Tony Meier, guard Kaylon Williams, guard Ja’Rob McCallum, guard Ryan Allen
—Skinny: The Panthers may not fare well in league action this season following a rough non-conference schedule.
—2011-12 record (30 games): 19-11 (11-7)

3. Cleveland State
—2010-11 record: 27-9 (13-5)
—Lost: guard Norris Cole
—Returning: guard Trevon Harmon, guard Jeremy Montgomery, forward Aaron Pogue, forward Tim Kamczyc
—Skinny: The Vikings should put up strong numbers in most offensive categories, but it will not be enough to claim the top —2011-12 projected record (30 games): 20-10 (12-6)

2. Detroit
—2010-11 record: 17-16 (10-8)
—Lost: None
—Returning: guard Ray McCallum, guard Chase Simon, forward Nick Minnerath, guard Jason Calliste, guard Chris Blake
—Skinny: While the Titans
are not lacking senior presence, they have not played their share of high-pressure games recently. Plus, center Eli Holman was suspended indefinitely in September.
—2011-12 projected record (30 games): 22-8 (14-4)

1. Butler
—2010-11 record: 28-10 (13-5)
—Lost: forward
Matt Howard, guard Shelvin Mack, guard Shawn
Vanzant, guard Zach Hahn
—Returning: guard Ronald Nored, forward Khyle Marshall, center Andrew Smith
—Skinny: This team is not lacking in big-game experience, but a difficult non-conference schedule could burn out the Bulldogs.
—2011-12 projected record (30 games): 21-9 (15-3)

Before stepping into the batter’s box, Erin Falkenberry draws an “E” in the dirt while standing in the on-deck circle.

The junior first baseman doesn’t classify herself as superstitious, but the ritual has paid big dividends for her.

Falkenberry recently set Butler’s career RBI record (109) and currently holds records for career slugging percentage (.556) and career home runs (30). The slugger is also tied for most home runs in a single season (11).

“[Falkenberry] doesn’t look like she would be a big power hitter,” sophomore pitcher Jenny Esparza said. “So it’s almost surprising how she hits with so much power. Her swing is so smooth and effortless.”

Falkenberry’s teammates and coach typically uses the word “power” to describe her game.

Earlier this season in a game at Detroit, Falkenberry blasted two home runs in her first two at bats. Her teammates were stunned when Detroit pitched to her during her third time up.

Not surprisingly, Falkenberry smashed another homer, putting the finishing touches on an 11-1 win.

“As she was rounding third base, she was covering her mouth trying not to laugh,” Butler left fielder Lauren McNulty said. “I think she felt bad that we were beating them so badly and didn’t want to rub it in by celebrating.”

Falkenberry has had her fair share of home runs and big hits, but goes about her business in a humble manner.

“I feel like I can’t smile because I don’t’ want to come off as cocky or confident,” Falkenberry said.

McNulty recognizes Falkenberry’s sportsmanship and humilty.

“She doesn’t showboat, even though she has so much talent,” McNulty said. “She’s coachable and easy to get along with—a coach’s dream.”

McNulty is more than just a teammate to Falkenberry—she is also her roommate. The two have lived with or near one another since they were freshmen.

“It’s nice when we have 6:30 a.m. practices or 6 a.m. weights,” McNulty said as she laughed. “After a long night of studying, it helps to have someone else there to make sure you’re awake.”

The two roommates have helped lead the Bulldogs to a 26-18 record and first place in the Horizon League.

Entering his first season at Butler and his first as a college coach, Hall was unfamiliar with the Butler squad he had inherited—unfamiliar with nearly everyone but Falkenberry, who had played for Hall for four seasons at Pendleton (Ind.) Heights High School.

“I had always looked up to him in elementary and middle school and knew that I wanted to play for him,” Falkenberry said.

Upon Jeanne Rayman’s resignation as Butler head coach last season, Falkenberry immediately made a phone call to Hall, urging him to apply for the job.

Hall took her advice and in July 2010, he was hired as Butler head softball coach.

“When I got word, I ran around the house screaming,” Falkenberry said. “He is by far the best coach I’ve ever played for.”

Falkenberry calls him one of the most important male figures in her life.

“I respect him as a coach first, but he’s gotten to be like a father figure as well,” she said.

At the conclusion of her softball career at Pendleton Heights, Hall presented Falkenberry with a special gift—the bat she used throughout high school, or at least what was left of it.

“She got a hit during one game and the bat snapped in half,” Hall said. “It was just a testament to how hard she hits the ball.”

Next season will be Falkenberry’s last as a Bulldog, and she already realizes how much she will miss it.

“These have been the three best years of my life,” Falkenberry said. “I can’t imagine not playing with these girls anymore. They’re like my sisters, and I love them.”

The Butler women’s tennis team, coming off a loss versus UIC in the final match of the regular season, entered the first round of the Horizon League Championship Tournament as the No. 3 seed.

The Bulldogs (15-10, 7-4 HL) finished fourth in the tournament after falling to Detroit in their third match, 4-2.

After losing 2-1 in doubles play against the Titans (8-26, 8-6 HL), Butler bounced back in singles play.

The Bulldogs picked up wins from senior Natali Jaimes (6-3, 6-0) and sophomore Brittany Farmer (7-5. 6-2).

Butler was able to hang with Detroit until the No. 5 singles match, when Detroit freshman Raina Halabi sealed the victory for the Titans with a win over Butler freshman Angelina Qin, 7-5, 6-1.

In the Bulldogs’ second round match versus Cleveland State, the Vikings (14-13, 8-2 HL) overcame a 2-1 loss in doubles play to topple Butler, 4-1.

At No. 1 doubles, freshmen Stephanie McLoughlin and Gabrielle Rubenstein picked up a 9-8 victory to move the Bulldogs in the right direction.

After Farmer and senior Gabriela Bobrowski won at No. 2 doubles, Cleveland State dominated play, winning at No. 3 doubles and sweeping singles play.

The No. 1  and No. 2 singles matches, however, were tightly contested.

In the No. 1 match, Jaimes fell in the first set against junior Catrine Bjerrehus, 6-2, but evened up the match in the second set by winning 6-4.

The tiebreaker ended with a loss for Jaimes, as Bjerrehus grabbed a 7-6 advantage to win the match.

At No. 2 singles, freshman Caroline Hedrick split the first two sets against freshman Alex Bush.

The match’s tiebreaker was stopped at  3-3, as Cleveland State had already done enough to defeat the Bulldogs.

In the opening round of the tournament, Butler recovered from its regular season-ending loss against UIC by dominating No. 6 Milwaukee.

The Bulldogs started off by sweeping doubles play against the Panthers (11-11, 3-7 HL).

Momentum stayed in Butler’s corner throughout singles play. All-Horizon Leaguer Jaimes rolled over Milwaukee sophomore Kelly Fritz at No. 1 singles, 6-1, 6-0.

At No. 5 singles, Rubenstein made quick work of sophomore Beth Ganzer, 6-2, 6-2, to give the Bulldogs their second singles point.

Farmer closed out the match by coming out on top against freshman Mary Ellen Donovan, 6-0, 6-2, at No. 6 singles.

After Butler’s third victory in singles play, the remaining singles matches were called off and the Bulldogs won, 4-0.

Butler finished the season with 15 wins, five more than the team’s total from last season.

The Bulldogs’ regular season mark against Horizon League opponents also improved from last season, as Butler gained two more conference victories this year.

The Bulldogs will return a strong core next season, including Hedrick, McLoughlin, Rubenstein and Farmer.

The Butler softball team recovered from a pair of losses against IPFW, sweeping a three-game series against Horizon League opponent Detroit.

The Bulldogs (16-11, 4-1 HL) outscored the Titans (4-18, 0-6 HL) 28-7 during the three game series and dispatched Detroit, 11-1, in five innings in the second game of a doubleheader and the final game of the series.

“It was good to see us get the sweep,” head coach Scott Hall said. “The pitching staff did a good job and allowed us to get the offense going.”

Butler put several good swings on the ball against Detroit freshman Erin Huddleston, earning all 11 runs off the pitcher in as many hits.

Junior first baseman Erin Falkenberry, who recently earned the Horizon League Co-Player of the Week honors, nearly hit for the home run cycle, blasting a solo home run in the third inning, a two-run homer in the fourth inning and a three-run shot in the fifth.

“I was seeing the ball well,” Falkenberry said. “I’d been struggling the past few games so I would’ve been happy with any hits.”

Falkenberry went 3-for-3 in the contest with four runs and six RBIs. Junior right-fielder Jessica Huey also had a strong showing at the plate, going 2-for-4, turning in a run and two RBIs.

Sophomore Jenny Esparza allowed one run on one hit in a complete game performance for the Bulldogs.

In the opening game of the doubleheader, Butler tallied a pair of runs in each of the first three innings and survived a comeback bid from Detroit to top the Titans, 8-6.

Falkenberry opened the scoring for the Bulldogs with a two-run home run in the first inning. In the second inning, junior catcher Alyssa Coleman led off with a solo home run. Redshirt sophomore Kayla Gray scored the other run in that frame, coming home on a fielder’s choice hit by senior center fielder Erin Jackson.

Senior third baseman Lauren Ott singled home a pair of Butler players in the third inning to give the Bulldogs a 6-0 advantage.

The Titans didn’t go away, scoring single runs in the fourth and sixth innings and posting four runs in the fifth inning.

However, Butler scored a run in both the fourth and sixth innings to stave off the Detroit rally.

Falkenberry topped the scoring sheet again for the Bulldogs, going 3-for-4 with two home runs, three runs and three RBIs. For the Titans, freshman right-fielder Alyssa Gietl had a grand slam to drive home four of Detroit’s six runs.

In the series opener, Butler used the pitching tandem of senior Jennifer Chasteen and freshman Leah Bry to shut out the Titans, 9-0.

Chasteen started the game and got all of the support she needed, courtesy of a four-run second inning.

“I was just trying to throw hard and keep them off balance,” Chasteen said.

Chasteen allowed two hits over five scoreless frames while striking out five. Bry pitched the final inning of the game and allowed one hit with a strikeout.

“Jen was on,” Bry said. “She was doing well and they weren’t hitting anything.”

Falkenberry and junior left-fielder Lauren McNulty both had a pair of RBIs in the victory. Huey also had a good day at the plate, going 2-for-3, with two runs and an RBI.

“We work hard at hitting,” Hall said. “It would be scary to get our 3-4-5 hitters going together.”

On March 30, the Bulldogs lost 10-7 and 3-1 in a doubleheader against IPFW.

The Bulldogs will face four teams in 10 games throughout the upcoming week, starting with games at Dayton today and Notre Dame tomorrow. Butler will then head home to face off against conference foes Cleveland State and Valparaiso.