BUTLER TWP — The 2018 season won't arrive for a few months yet, but Butler baseball is already going places.

Six Golden Tornado seniors officially signed letters of intent recently to continue their academic and baseball careers in college.

“It's a tribute to how hard those guys have worked at it,” first-year Butler baseball coach Cody Herald said. “They made this happen for themselves.”

Shortstop-pitcher Connor Ollio signed with North Carolina after verbally committing to the Tar Heels more than a year ago. Catcher Justin Stewart is headed to California (Pa.) while third baseman Jacob Keene is going to Tiffin (Ohio).

The other three have connections to Herald's collegiate playing days at Seton Hill. Pitcher-first baseman Brandon Fleeger is going to Herald's alma mater.

Pitcher Nash Bryan and shortstop-secomd baseman Ryan Lynn are headed to Wheeling Jesuit, where Dan Abbenante — a teammate of Herald's at Seton Hill — is taking over as head coach.

Bryan has never played high school baseball for Butler, though he will be on the roster this year.

“Nash has been on the volleyball team, which also plays in the spring, and could never work baseball in,” Herald said. “Now we've been able to work it out and he'll be doing some pitching for us.”

Wheeling Jesuit was 28-18 last season under longtime coach Terry Edwards, who retired after the season. Abbenante coached Bryan and Lynn on Team All-American during the summer.

“I've pitched well there and he (Abbenante) knows what I can do,” Bryan said.”I'm grateful for the opportunity, both with the high school team and in college.”

Bryan plans to major in physical therapy and athletic training. Lynn wants to major in physical therapy as well.

“I was looking at Pitt and Kent State, too, but I like the physical therapy program down there,” Lynn said of Wheeling Jesuit. “And it helps that we know the coach and what to expect.

“Coach knows I can play and I'm hoping I can contribute early.”

While Ollio has known his collegiate destination for a while, he said “I'm relieved the day has finally come to make it official.”

North Carolina coach Mike Fox has won 846 games in 20 seasons. The Tar Heels were 49-14 last season, losing to Florida State in the ACC title game and bowing out in the NCAA regionals.

“The big thing is, I'm going where it's warm and they have a great basketball team,” said Ollio, who will be majoring in actuary sciences. “I'm looking forward to getting to the next level.”

Fleeger is joining a Seton Hill team that broke through and won the PSAC championship a year ago, sporting a 36-20 record. He will become teammates with Knoch graduate Chris Law, a sophomore shortstop.

Fleeger, who will major in business, also considered Slippery Rock, Clarion and Pitt Bradford.

“Seton Hill is close to home and it's a good, consistent program,” Fleeger said. “I just want to do the best I can and help them keep winning.”

Stewart will be playing for a rival school in perennial PSAC contender California (Pa.). The Tornado catcher also considered Clarion and Seton Hill.

The Vulcans are coming off a 20-24 season — a down year by their standards — as coach Mike Conte has accumulated more than 550 wins in 21 years at Cal.

“The coach sold me on the program,” Stewart said. “He was a big factor in my decision.”

Keene is headed to Tiffin (Ohio), where the Dragons are coming off a school-record 32-win season. He also considered Clarion, Wheeling Jesuit and Pitt Bradford.

He will major in business finance.

“They like me as a third baseman and that's where I'll be playing this spring for Butler,” Keene said. “I'm anxious to see what I can do at the college level and where I can take my game.”

All six are anxious to see where they can take Butler baseball come spring.

“We should be good ... very competitive,” Keene said.

“Baseball is a team sport and it's all coming together for us,” Stewart said. “We should be able to take pressure off each other.”

“Win the section, the WPIAL, state champs — why not?,” Lynn said. “We've got the team. You gotta go for it.”