TUCSON - In Arizona pitching coach Dave Lawn’s eyes, June might as well be October. And no, it’s not because the heat is getting to him.
Major League Baseball plays its postseason in October, and the NCAA conducts its playoffs in June.
Teams will do whatever it takes to win during the playoffs. Top pitchers throw a lot of pitches, sometimes on short rest. Position players gut their way through injuries.
Arizona ace Nathan Bannister pitched June 3 against Sam Houston State, throwing 96 pitches in seven innings. He pitched again three days later, throwing 102 pitches in seven innings to clinch an NCAA regional.