Butler BlueSox manager Jason Radwan used the word “excited” when describing his thoughts on his team’s offense through eight games.

Though he has played just two games, right fielder Will Schneider is a big reason for that optimism.

Schneider went 3-for-4 with a triple, run scored and one RBI in Friday’s 5-3 Prospect League win over Champion City at Kelly Automotive Park.

He doubled and tripled in Thursday’s 9-6 triumph at Chillicothe.

“I’m seeing the ball well right now and I’m not swinging at too many bad pitches,” said Schneider, who recently capped his junior season at Morehead State University in Kentucky. “I didn’t have that many walks (19) in the college season and I want to work on my plate discipline this summer.”

In 58 college starts this spring, Schneider batted .343 with 10 home runs, 47 runs scored and 57 RBI. He batted third in the Eagles’ lineup, but seems to have found a home as Butler’s cleanup hitter.

“In the fourth spot, you’re looking to drive in a few more runs,” Schneider related. “At No. 3, you’re just trying to get on base more. But for the most part, they are pretty similar.”

Schneider’s addition has made an already-loaded lineup even more potent. The Sox are currently batting .285 as a team.

“He was a late sign for us,” said Radwan. “His college coach contacted me about him and I looked at his stats. They were unbelievable. It’s a great pickup for us.”

Schneider was right in the thick of Butler’s 4-run fourth inning Friday. He tripled home Danny Hrbek for the game’s first run, then scored moments later on a Champion City fielding error. Later in the inning, Nick Stotler’s double scored Tyler Niemann and Dalton Hoiles.

The outburst came against Kings’ starter Jordan Norton, who had pitched three scoreless innings to start the game.

“The first few innings here are tough on hitters (with shadows on the field),” said Radwan. “But we got off to a slow start in Chillicothe, too. We seem to be a team that has better at-bats the second time through the lineup.”

The Kings (2-6) had no such luck against Butler starter David Calderon, who struck out six, walked one and allowed five hits in six scoreless innings in his BlueSox debut.

“A lot of guys have nerves in their first start here, with the crowd,” said Radwan, “but it didn’t bother him tonight. He was confident the whole game. His pitch count got up to 87 and early in the season, we throw our starters six or seven innings, tops.”

Calderon was relieved by southpaw Alex Wagner at the start of the seventh inning and only then did the Kings get on the scoreboard.

Champion City loaded the bases with one out thanks to a walk and two singles and Wagner was pulled in favor of Zach Patterson. Norton scored on a fielder’s choice — a run charged to Wagner — but Patterson avoided further damage by inducing a 6-4-3 double play.

It was the third of four double plays turned in by Butler’s defense, helping to offset its three errors.

“The double plays help,” said Radwan. “We just need to clean up the rest of our game.”

The Sox (5-3) added an unearned run in the bottom of the seventh. The Kings made things interesting with two runs in the top of the eighth against Patterson before Kyle Zurak earned a save with a scoreless ninth frame.

Champion City 000 000 120 — 3 9 3

Butler 000 400 10x — 5 9 3

W: David Calderon 6 IP (6K, 1BB). L: Jordan Norton 7 IP (6K, 2BB). S: Kyle Zurak 1 IP (0K, OBB).

Champion City (2-6): Isaiah Lewis 1B, Cale Dineen R, John Goodrich 1B, Jett Swetland 1B R RBI, Dante Key 1B, Sean Kennedy 2-1B RBI, Dylan Bradshaw 1B, Logan Hayes 1B 2B, Adam Vasil RBI, Jordan Norton R

Butler (5-3): Tyler Sullivan 1B, Garrett Vrbanic 2B, Daniel Hrbek 1B 2B 2R, Will Schneider 2-1B 3B R RBI, Tyler Niemann R, Dalton Hoiles 1B R, Nick Stotler 2B 2RBI

Saturday: Champion City at Butler