McElroy extending academic, baseball career with Vulcans
BUTLER TWP — When it came time to seek out his college choice, Liam McElroy had only choice.
“I wanted to go to California the whole time,” the Butler senior outfielder said. “I never really considered another school.”
McElroy recently signed a letter of intent to continue his academic and baseball career with California (Pa.) University of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. He plans to major in business marketing.
“It’s a good fit for him,” Butler baseball coach Justin Forbes said. “I know California really wanted him. Liam is going to continue to work hard because he’s always working to improve his game.”
A right fielder-left fielder for the Golden Tornado, McElroy hit .262 last season with 16 hits. He had five triples and a pair of doubles, collecting 11 RBI and hitting fourth in Butler’s batting order.
McElroy had an on-base percentage of .351 last season.
“He has an excellent eye at the plate,” Forbes said. “I’m excited for him because I know he can be a productive player in the PSAC.”
McElroy said his goal at California is to “be able to compete and earn a starting spot in the outfield and continue to progress as a player.
“I’m a good hitter and I believe I’m a good fielder, too,” he added. “I need to work on my foot speed. I want to be able to run a little faster.”
California has succeeded at recruiting Butler County baseball players in recent years. Butler graduate Justin Stewart was a senior with the Vulcans last spring and hit .319 with a homer, 23 RBI and.411 on-base percentage as the team’s starting catcher. Seneca Valley graduate Conor Carney hit .273 with eight RBI as a part-time starter in the California infield.
There are three freshmen, two sophomores and a senior among the outfielders listed on the current California roster. The Vulcans are coming off a 29-21 season, 15-13 in PSAC play. They have not had a losing season since 2017.
Mike Conte has been California’s head baseball coach for 27 years. An eight-time PSAC West Coach of the Year selection, he sports a 736-517-4 career record and has guided his team to 18 PSAC Tournament appearances.
“Liam knows he’ll have to earn his playing time there,” Forbes said. “But he’s got the work ethic to do that. It’s up to him what’s gonna happen, really. Some guys move on to college ball and don’t meet the challenge.
“Other guys just go do it. I see Liam working his way into a productive college career.”
But with his senior year at Butler having yet to be played, he has some unfinished business with the Golden Tornado first.
“Win a WPIAL championship. That’s the goal,” he said.
