dutchmenbaseball.com

Lucas Dunn (Louisville) at the plate at Connors Park at Siena College.

In the fourth week of the 2018 season, Lucas Dunn (Louisville) reached base safely at least twice in each game, boasted a .647 on base percentage, and hit .500 (6-for-12) to earn Spotlight Player of the Week Honors. 

In four games, he collected two multi-hit performances, including June 29th at Amsterdam, in which he finished 2-for-3 with a triple, a run, a stolen base, and a walk. 

Thanks to his performance last week, Dunn is now second on the team with six multi-hit games on the season.  

Head coach Nick Davey is most impressed by Dunn’s all-around game and the impact he can have on the diamond. “Lucas is a game changer,” Davey said.

Davey relies on Dunn to play several different positions, mainly centerfield and shortstop thus far with the Dutchmen. “My versatility is what has given me so many opportunities. I enjoy playing all over the field and knowing I can step into any role to help my team,” Dunn said.

Following Sunday’s game at Jamestown, Dunn is currently on a three-game stolen base streak and has swiped a bag in four out of his last five contests. The pressure he puts on a defense, combined with the rate at which he reaches base, is reason for Coach Davey to applaud. “He is a very tough out and when on base can put a lot of pressure on other teams.”

“Base running is extremely important,” Dunn said. “It is something we emphasize a lot at UofL [Louisville]. Stealing bases is something I really wanted to focus on and get comfortable with in summer ball.” 

Dunn’s season batting average is up to .327 (17-for-52), which leads eligible Dutchmen hitters. In the past seven days, he was tied for second in the PGCBL in stolen bases was second in the circuit in on base percentage. 

With consideration to his approach at the plate, Davey said, “he’ll be a mainstay at the top of our order for the rest of the season.” As he is working the count more, he is drawing more walks (six in the past five games) and seeing more pitches to hit, evident by his spike in offensive production.

“I approach each at bat [one] at a time. No matter how the day is going at that point, focusing on getting a good pitch to hit and fighting off anything I can’t drive.” 

Dunn appeared in 41 games for Louisville in 2018 and hit .303 (20-for-66) with two home runs. With the commitment to developing as a player, he hopes to be a consistent presence in the Cardinal’s lineup in 2019.

Getting into a routine is Dunn’s plan for the second half of the season to help the Dutchmen throughout the playoff race. “I’m going to stay to my routines and keep grinding through the long season.”