PITTSBURGH — If Evan Oswald is closing out his baseball career, he’s doing so in style.

The Butler graduate and senior shortstop at the University of Pittsburgh has started every game for the Panthers this spring and played virtually every inning.

“I was taken out in the seventh inning against Youngstown State,” Oswald recalled. “Besides that, I’ve always been out there.”

And this hasn’t been a run-of-the-mill season at Pitt.

The Panthers are sitting at 40-12 — winning their school-record 40th game recently against Villanova — and lead the Big East by a game over Louisville with an 18-3 mark. They are ranked No. 17 in the country.

Pitt has not been to the NCAA Tournament since 1995 and has been there only three times in school history.

“Our goal has been Omaha (sight of the College World Series) since the beginning of the season,” Oswald said. “We knew this had a chance to be a special team.

“We have three games left before the (Big East) tournament. We want to win them all.”

If Pitt fails to win the Big East Tournament, an at-large bid to the NCAA tourney appears likely.

Oswald is hitting .282 with two homers and 18 RBI this spring. He hit .299 last year after earning the starting shortstop position early in 2012.

“Evan has been solid and steady,” Pitt coach Joe Jordano said. “When you’re out there every day, you have to deal with the highs and lows of this game and he does that very well.

“Best thing I can say about Evan Oswald? We can count on him.”

Oswald has struck out only 20 times in 188 at bats. He’s drawn 18 walks and has been hit by a pitch 11 times. He’s also produced seven sacrifice hits and stolen seven bases in nine tries.

“He’s a heady player and we’ve used him all over the lineup,” Jordano said. “He’s hit leadoff for us, we’ve batted him second ... Right now, he’s hitting eighth and doing a nice job there.”

Besides Oswald, only right fielder-pitcher Casey Roche has started all 51 games for Pitt this spring.

“I was in a little slump earlier this season,” Oswald said. “You just try to fight through it while having fun playing baseball.

“I don’t stress when I’m out there playing. I enjoy being out there all the time.”

Oswald spent one summer playing for the Butler BlueSox. First-year Pitt volunteer infield coach Jacke Healey was an original member of the BlueSox and was drafted by the Houston Astros in 2010.

Healey spent two years in the Astros’ minor league system.

“We work with him every day and he’s given us pointers to help improve as an overall infield,” Oswald said.

Three of the Panthers’ starting four infielders are seniors. Pitt has turned 55 double plays this spring.

Oswald has committed 16 errors, but has 192 assists and 80 putouts on the season.

“Evan has a strong arm and he’s made spectacular plays from time to time,” Jordano said. “What he really brings us is consistent play and that’s what you need from your shortstop.

“He’s got gap power at the plate, but when he’s locked in, he’s spraying line drives all over the place.”

Oswald is majoring in environmental science and plans to graduate in the fall. He is considering graduate school as well.

He also has his eye on taking a shot at professional baseball.

“I’d like to, but I’m not thinking about that right now,” Oswald said. “I just want to finish this season strong and help our team realize its goals. We want to leave our mark on Pitt baseball, take it to another level.”

The Panthers suffered a 6-5 loss to Kent State Tuesday night. Pitt plays a three-game series at Louisville beginning Thursday.

“That’s where our focus is,” said Jordano, who picked up his 750th career win last weekend. “We don’t take one peek beyond the game that day.”