A scary scene on Monday night in Baton Rouge, as LSU pitcher Austin Bain took a line drive to the face during the team’s NCAA Regional game against Rice.
In the eighth inning, Rice’s Charlie Warren sent a Bain offering right back where it came from, at an exit velocity of 95 mph. The liner hit Bain (literally) right between the eyes.
Austin @Bain_07 here you go bud, hope you’re upright tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/mMfvWNLop6
— Michael Cauble (@MichaelCauble) June 7, 2016
Amazing that Austin Bain was able to walk off after this. #LSU pic.twitter.com/tSg46uER61
— Nick de la Torre (@NickdelaTorreGC) June 7, 2016
Incredibly, Bain walked off under his own power, and apparently even tried to stay in the game.
Dutchtowns Austin Bain takes a liner right to the brow, walks off the field under his own power, says he’s fine. pic.twitter.com/um72WdwImW — Michael Cauble (@MichaelCauble) June 7, 2016
The ball that hit Austin Bain came off the bat at 95 mph, per TrackMan. He walked off under his own power.#LSU — Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) June 7, 2016
Austin Bain of @LSUbaseball taking ball off the nose like a champion, tells his coach “im good, let me pitch” wow @RiceOwlsBSB #RoadToOmaha
— David Aardsma (@TheDA53) June 7, 2016
LSU skipper Paul Mainieri confirmed that Bain ended up being okay (aside from that big mark in the middle of his face, of course):
Paul Mainieri said it seems they “dodged a bullet” w/Austin Bain He was “totally in control of himself” after the game, in the huddle#LSU — Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) June 7, 2016
As for the game, LSU lost 10-6 to Rice, and the two schools will have a rematch tomorrow, with a trip to the Super Regional on the line.