Baseball: Aliso Niguel Coach Craig Hanson is on the mend after being hit by line drive

Aliso Niguel Coach Craig Hanson was hit by a line drive in the face off the pitching machine on April 14 and suffered shattered bones in his nasal and orbital socket.

He had 12 stitches and underwent surgery earlier this week. He’s finally on the mend and Aliso Niguel players have been resilient trying to earn a playoff spot and welcome him back.

Hanson is recuperating and hopes to return for Aliso Niguel’s final series May 10 and 12 against Capistrano Valley. And he’ll probably be wearing a hockey mask, assistant coach Aaron Kokx indicated.

Even the umpires miss him and wish him well.

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