Washington State lefthander Layne Bruner was clearly frustrated after losing control of an inside pitch that nailed Arizona State outfielder Johnny Sewald on Saturday. His anguish turned to surprise when the ball came flying back at him seconds later.
During the Cougars’ 6-5 loss at Arizona State, Bruner faced Sewald in an important spot in the sixth inning, with runners on the corners and two outs as the Sun Devils led 5-3. Looking for a strikeout on an 0-2 pitch, Bruner missed inside with a fastball, and it nailed Sewald just below the right armpit.
Unfazed, Sewald trapped the ball against his torso, let it run down his arm, then calmly underhanded it back to Bruner.