Dayton's Tyler Bujnowski is a Quiet Storm

Every championship-winning team has the proverbial "glue guy" and for the Dayton Bulldogs, last season it was Tyler Bujnowski.     

The rock-steady shortstop was a major catalyst for the Bulldogs who shockingly went from worst to first last spring. So sure-handed was Bujnowski that head coach Mike Abbate was able to make a major change in how he'd play his infield, leading to award-winning results.    

"He was the real key to our success last season," Abbate said of Bujnowski, who only committed two errors last season. "Every successful team needs that one guy that unexpectedly plays very well. Tyler's ability to play shortstop allowed us to move 'Quay [Marquay Mayo] to third base and solidify the left side of the infield. Combined, I think they only had four errors."   

The move allowed the recently-graduated Mayo to garner post-season county and conference awards, while stabilizing what was arguably the best infield in the conference. Along with the solid play on the left side of the diamond, the Bulldogs also had all-county/conference players in Elliot Karp [second base] and Alex Popolani [first base].    

Such an impact made by the quiet and steady Bujnowski wasn't lost on his coach.      

"Tyler plays hard every day, keeps his mouth shut, and does everything the right way," gushed Abbate. "He's the type of player that makes a coach fall in love with his play."   

His play at the plate was equally impressive as he hit .324, walked 12 times, scored 29 runs, and had an on-base percentage of .494.      

Although still young himself, Bujnowski is now one of the few remaining holdover veterans on a team that graduated eight seniors. He said it was "pretty weird not seeing" his fellow infield mates but has a lot of confidence in this new batch coming up – mostly because these are the kids he actually grew up with since pee-wee days.    

"In my mind it doesn't feel like it's starting over because I played with a lot of these kids last summer, so it is just adjusting back to the way it was before," he assured. "Once we played a couple of games, I got used to the people I am seeing now and we are a very solid infield group."     

Even though Springfield missed the summer legion playoffs by one game, Bujnowski was thankful for legion because it was a way to acclimate himself to guys he hadn't played with in a couple of seasons. This is the first time Springfield had fielded a summer varsity legion team in over two years, so the extra reps were certainly something of which the Bulldogs can build.    

"It is a good thing that we now have a senior legion team because it's a good way for our team to become a closer unit," said Bujnowski, who is heading into his junior year. "It gave us a chance to see how we all play and shows what the team will be like next year."     

As for next year's team, it takes on a decidedly different look. Gone are stalwarts like Karp, Popolani, Mayo and starting pitcher Ross Goldfarb. And in comes a new batch that Abbate admittedly said they don't know what they're about to get into.     

Such uncertainty is a reason why Abbate will lean heavily on returnees like Bujnowski. Tyler, for one, said he's ready for that challenge.   

"The leadership role that I plan on having next year is just to keep my team hyped up for games and ready to play everyday," said the usually tranquil Bujnowski. "I also plan on trying to help younger players coming in next year."    

Next season will be a tough transition for all, as Dayton was bumped up into a harder sub-division of their conference. So not only are the defending conference champs heading into another season where the schedule figures to be even tougher than last season's but they'll be doing so with a very green roster. If there was ever a time for opposing programs to exact a little payback, next season is the best time.  

Naturally, the beyond-his-years Bujnowski doesn't see it as a bull's-eye on the Bulldogs' collective backs but just another challenge for a team that thrives on fighting through adversity.   

"I don't think that anyone will have a problem playing next year because I don't feel that there is a target on our backs," he said. "All that we have to do is play the way that we know we can and then we will be fine for next spring because I believe we can keep up with almost every team."