Bridgeport High School alum Hunter Fain knew something was going on during the weekend. Not that getting a bunch of text messages is unusual for a college sophomore, but the sheer volume let Fain knew something was up.

 

“I just kept getting text message after text message. I didn’t even know what was going on until I saw the texts that usually had a link to the story on Twitter,” said Fain. “Honestly, when I saw it I was pretty humbled.”

 

The Twitter link for the collegiate catcher at Morehead State was that he had been named to the Johnny Bench Award Watch List. The list, which honors college baseball’s best catcher, is named after the legendary Hall of Famer of the Cincinnati Reds and is administered by the Greater Wichita (Kan.) Area Sports Commission.

 

The watch list will be narrowed down to the semifinalists, whom will be announced May 17, 2017. Ballots will be sent to the national voting panel at the end of May for a vote to determine the three finalists. The finalists will be announced June 5, 2017. A final vote among the national committee will occur during the College World Series. All finalists will be brought to Wichita and the winner will be announced at the 20th Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet on June 29, 2017.

 

“It’s a pretty big award to be considered for and I take pride in it,” said Fain.

 

Fain was added to the list after an impressive freshman season and a strong start to the 2017 season. Last year, he was named to the Ohio Valley Conference “All-Newcomer Team” as he batted .320 while starting 42 of 49 games.

 

His numbers in other areas were also strong. He scored 21 runs among his 47 hits that included 11 doubles, four home runs, 27 runs batted in and 70 total bases. His on-base percentage was .442, while his fielding percentage was .991.

 

The numbers were strong from the start. In his very first collegiate game, Fain went 5-for-6 with three doubles. In fact, he reached base 31 straight times in games he had at least one plate appearance.

 

In the early part of this season, things haven’t slowed down at the Division I school. Fain is batting .328. His slugging percentage stands at .448 and he has a .451 on-base percentage.

 

Limiting him to just offense, however, would be a mistake – especially as a catcher. According to Morehead State, Fain ranks among the country’s best catchers in throwing out opponents trying to steal on him. He’s thrown out 40 percent of those attempting to steal.

 

Fain said he’s thankful for the opportunity that’s been afforded by him at MSU for the chance to play.

 

“I felt I could play at this level and always believed if that someone gave me a chance I wouldn’t let them down. The coaches at Morehead State gave me the chance and after a bit of a rough start, I really feel comfortable,” said Fain.

 

The rough start wasn’t in actual action. It actually came in practices and scrimmages last year.

 

“The pitch speed, initially, threw me off in my first games against teammates because everyone is throwing 90 miles per hour plus. Once I got the timing down I felt comfortable at the plate and I always have felt comfortable behind the plate,” said Fain.

 

The finance major is hoping the big numbers and national recognition will lead him to get a chance to go where he’s wanted to go as a kid. And that’s a chance to play in the big leagues.

 

“Getting to the Major League level has always been a dream of mine and hopefully if I do well enough I’ll have the privilege of getting drafted by a Major League organization,” said Fain. “Every kid I grew up with dreamed of having a shot at the Major Leagues and that’s been a dream of mine from day one. This is a stepping stone to get there and hopefully I can improve and help our team improve to get me there.”

 

Fain was a member of the 2014 and 2015 Class AA state championship BHS baseball teams coached by Robert Shields. As a senior, year’s Fain posted a .457 batting average with 12 doubles, four home runs and 41 RBIs. In 94 plate appearances, he only struck out six times on his way to earning first-team all-state honors. 

 

Editor's Note: Top photo, from Morehead State Web site, shows Fain batting against James Madison University. Bottom two photos from Fain's senior year at BHS, by Ben Queen of www.benqueenphotography.com.