Two Injuries Rekindle Bat Debate
Two line drives off high-performance metal bats in the NCAA tournament broke two pitchers’ jaws on the same field 48 hours apart.
Butler freshman Pat Neshek’s jaw was broken by Dustin Hawkins’ line drive in the sixth inning of the NCAA regional game at Siebert Field on Sunday.
On Friday, Butler’s Eddie Olszta lined a pitch off Nebraska ace Shane Komine’s jaw, breaking it in three places.
Butler Coach Steve Farley said the incidents might not have been coincidental.
“Pat is one of the best athletes on our team and I know Shane Komine is a great athlete for Nebraska,” Farley said. “If those two guys can’t get their gloves up in time, it makes me wonder about the bats issue.”
Wichita State Coach Gene Stephenson disagreed, calling the incidents a “freak of nature” and not a red flag for the NCAA to investigate the metal bats once again.
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