Green blows out knee but expects to play
Corben Green stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the eighth inning in game three of the series versus Southern Utah, looking for his fourth hit of the night.
Green hit the ball to second, sprinted to first and beat the throw, but curiously, instead of cheering, about 1,500 Warhawk fans suddenly went silent.
Instead of a star being born, it seemed like the sky might be falling as Green left the field with an apparent knee injury.
“It was kind of a weird play,” said head coach Jeff Schexnaider.
“He was trying to avoid contact and touch the base at the same time. I knew he was hurt pretty bad by his reaction, because he’s a tough player.”
Since that game, there has been speculation that the 491 hitter had torn his ACL and would miss the rest of the season.
Green had sustained an ACL tear before during his days at Shelton State Community College. The team was hoping this injury was not serious, and fortunately it might not be.
It was reported on Wednesday that Green did have a knee injury, but he has elected not to have surgery.
He will wear a brace instead, and try to continue to play.
However, Green will still miss two weeks before he is back on the field.
“I don’t think we can replace a Corben Green,” Schexnaider said.
“Every day is trial and error and see what’s our best fit for our best nine.”
Joey Rapp has assumed the duties at first base after moving from the outfield.
Rapp went 2-for-4 in the first game without Green and was named Sun Belt Conference Hitter of the Week after batting .571 with a double, two home runs and six RBIs last week.
Meanwhile, Rapp’s right field position will be filled by other outfielders, and the lineup will change as needed.
