Sunnafrank no temporary fix
From a temporary contract to the Butler BlueSox record book.
It’s been quite a ride for Dillon Sunnafrank — but not an unexpected one in his mind.
“I’ve been down this road before,” Sunnafrank said.
The Cambridge, Ohio, resident hit .305 this season, shared the BlueSox team lead with 35 RBI and posted a 2-2 record on the mound with a 3.69 earned run average. He also tied the club record by producing a 17-game hitting streak.
That’s not a bad body of work for a guy signed to a 10-day temporary contract at the beginning of the season.
“When you sign a temp contract, you only have a few games to try to get signed for the season,” BlueSox manager Jason Radwan said. “We try to give guys like that as long a look as we can.
“Regardless, it’s produce right away or you’re not going to stick around.”
Sunnafrank had three hits and two RBI in Butler’s first two games this season — and never did stop hitting.
“He went from being a temp guy at the start of the season to being the No. 3 hitter in our batting order at the end,” Radwan said.
But, as Sunnafrank said, he’s been there before.
“My freshman year at Wheeling Jesuit, I wasn’t supposed to get much playing time at all,” he said. “I wound up being the starting third baseman that year.
“I have confidence in my abilities and I love getting the chance to prove myself. It’s a challenge.”
Sunnafrank hit .300 his freshman year at Wheeling Jesuit. He hit .370 as a sophomore and .322 this past spring.
His original plans for the summer were to play for the Barton Brewers of the Ohio Valley Baseball League — a circuit similar to the Eagle County League locally. Sunnafrank had played for Barton in previous summers.
“When this opportunity arose, I figured I’d go for it,” he said. “Playing in a league of this caliber could only benefit me and it has.
“I’ve never faced pitching like I’ve seen in this league. It forces you to adjust and become a better hitter.”
Sunnafrank had a chance to hit in 18 consecutive games to end the season and break the BlueSox record. He went 0-for-3 in the season finale, however.
“Yeah, I really wanted that,” Sunnafrank admitted. “But tying the record is pretty good. I had never hit in 17 straight games at any level of baseball anywhere.”
Radwan made ample use of Sunnafrank’s versatility.
“That guy helped us in so many ways,” the manager said. “We could play him at a number of positions and he ate some quality innings for us on the mound.
“Dillon turned out to be an unexpected find for us, that’s for sure.”
