KOKOMO, Ind. — Coming off a season at Virginia Tech where Connor Coward admitted he and the Hokies were “trampled” in the stacked ACC, the right-handed pitcher and Seneca Valley graduate was searching for some much-needed confidence.

It didn't take long for Coward to get it this summer.

Pitching for Butler once again in the Prospect League, Coward has been stellar this season in his seven starts, posting a 2-1 record with a 2.67 ERA.

More impressive has been his control — something that eluded him at times for Virginia Tech. Coward has struck out 49 and walked only four in 43 2/3 innings.

Those numbers added up to a Prospect League All-Star Game nod for Coward.

He joins fellow pitchers Pavin Parks and Alex Wagner and position players Tyler Sullivan and Will Schneider as BlueSox representatives for the East in the All-Star Game that will be played tonight in Kokomo, Ind.

“It's very humbling,” Coward said of his selection. “My mentality coming into this summer was to improve my confidence. We had a rough spring (at Virginia Tech). Nine out of the 14 teams in the conference were ranked in the Top 20 at one time or another and we got trampled. We didn't compete every game and we felt it as a team and the pitchers felt it with every batter.

“When you don't have confidence, you get hit and then you walk guys and then you get hit more,” Coward added.

At Virginia Tech, Coward was 1-1 with a 7.42 ERA in 17 appearances (three starts). More concerning was the fact he walked 21 in 30 1/3 innings.

Another goal for Coward this summer was to get a better harness on his exceptional stuff and he has been able to do just that.

“He's the best pitcher (in the East),” said Butler manager Jason Radwan after one of Coward's starts.

He's sixth in the Prospect League in innings pitched, second in strikeouts, and first in strikeout-walk ratio.

That last stat gives Coward the most sense of pride.

“Coming into this summer, I really wanted to keep my walks down,” Coward said. “I had a lot of strikeouts in school, but I had some bad control. I've really been able to keep a level head.”

Coward may only get one inning of work tonight.

But to Coward, that's not as important as sharing in the experience with his teammates and getting to know the others players in the league better.

“I'm really excited, more for the atmosphere,” Coward said. “Kokomo's field is beautiful. It's a very nice park and it reminds me a lot of Louisville's field. They're expecting a sellout crowd. With an All-Star Game, I get the chance to hang out and get to know a lot of the other players. I'm looking forward to that the most.”