Asst. professor dies after being hit by baseball at Va. college athletic field while pitching

Va. professor dies after being struck by baseball

LYNCHBURG, Va. — An assistant professor at Liberty University in Virginia has died after being hit by a baseball at a neighboring college athletic field.

An official says Jeff Taylor Sr. was struck in the lower jaw or neck by a line drive while pitching to a baseball player at nearby Lynchburg College.

The Lynchburg College official sent an e-mail to students and faculty Wednesday saying five players were on the field at the time, including Taylor’s son. The Lynchburg News and Advance says the player who hit the drive on Tuesday wasn’t identified.

Taylor was an assistant professor of health sciences and kinesiology. He was 44.

Liberty Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. says the school has lost a “great professor.” Both schools are in Lynchburg.

Information from: The News & Advance, www.newsadvance.com/