Butler graduate and former Santa Clara University pitcher Cade Negley has transferred to Youngstown State for the coming academic year.

BUTLER TWP — Cade Negley put together a promising freshman season for the Santa Clara University baseball team in California.

The Butler graduate was fourth on the team in appearances, won a game and picked up a save. The right-hander threw 30.1 innings as a true freshman.

Then he was told he wasn't wanted.

First-year head coach Rusty Filter decided to release all of the freshmen and sophomores on the Bronco roster following a 26-26 season.

“We played our last game of the year at Gonzaga on a Saturday, got back home and he told us all in a meeting on Monday,” Negley said. “He wanted to totally retool the roster.

“With 15 seniors on the team this year, virtually no one is coming back. None of us saw that coming. We were basically told to find someplace else to play next year.”

Negley looked at Division II schools in California and Colorado, along with PSAC schools Mercyhurst and Seton Hill, among other possibilities, before officially transferring to Youngstown State.

“We weren't done with classes (at Santa Clara) until June 15, so I was alone out there for a month or so,” said Negley, an accounting major. “My ultimate goal is to be a major league pitcher and this move can help me in that regard.”

Negley said he prefers to be a starter. He started only one game at Santa Clara and made 18 relief appearances. He had 19 strikeouts and 20 walks to go with a 7.12 earned run average. A couple of rough outings ballooned that ERA.

In joining the Penguins, Negley will be reunited with head coach Dan Bertolini, who was an assistant coach for the Ohio Glaciers. Negley pitched for that summer team three years ago.

Negley also pitched for Bertolini's father for three years in the Youngstown Class B League.

“We are so glad he decided to come back home and represent YSU,” Bertolini said of Negley in a prepared statement. “He has an above average fastball, great feel for his secondary pitches and the composure and command to be a weekend arm for us this season.”

That prospect has Negley geared up for the 2019 campaign.

“I know a couple of guys on the (YSU) team from playing summer ball in Youngstown,” he said. “There's a good core of players there now and I really believe we can turn that program around.

“You always want to win.”

Negley will be roommates with Butler BlueSox player and former Glacier teammate Jeff Wehler in 2018-19.

Youngstown State was 18-38 this spring in Bertolini's third year. The 18 wins were the most by a Penguin baseball team since 2010. YSU's last winning season was in 2005 (29-27).

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Negley graduated from Butler with a 4.3 grade point average in 2017. He struck out 45 batters in 40 innings pitched as the Golden Tornado's No. 1 starting pitcher his senior year.

He had similar aspirations at Santa Clara.

“I was pretty upset at first,” he said about being swept out of the Broncos' program. “But as the days went on, my faith carried me through. I know The Lord has great plans for my life.

“I had plenty of support through all of this from my parents, grandparents and friends. I'm ready to get going again.”