By: Shannon Bickert

Connor Lane didn’t intend to take the bump again once starting college at the University of Connecticut. Lane served as a catcher during his first two seasons with the Huskies. During his sophomore year everything changed. An eye injury early in the season that caused permanent vision loss sidelined Lane for the majority of the 2026 season.

During live hitting reps during the first weekend of play this past season, Lane swung the bat and tipped the ball to his eye.

Lane visited specialists and doctors. They discovered that there was blood in the back of his eye due to the contact, which caused permanent vision loss, which meant that Lane wouldn’t be able to catch again.

Before the injury, Lane hit .280 in his rookie year with the Huskies. He knocked 18 extra-base hits, including six long balls. Lane had an explosive first season and started five games as the backstop for UConn in his second year before his season came to a premature end.

Despite the injury, Lane wanted to continue playing the game he loved. In order to do so, he turned back to pitching.

In high school, Lane was a two-way player, catching and coming out of the bullpen as a reliever at Old Saybrook High School. Lane excelled as both a pitcher and position player, earning him the title of 2024 Gatorade Connecticut High School Player of the Year.

The Connecticut native planned on sticking to catching, however, the injury caused him to turn back to bump. Lane had to say goodbye to the part of the game he loved.

“I loved it [catching and hitting],” Lane said. “At the end of the day, this is what I had to do to continue to play the game. That’s the way I look at it.”

Before Lane’s injury, he hadn’t pitched at the college level, as he was focused as a hitter and catcher. Lane had to return to the routine of pitching, which took some adjusting.

“The first couple of weeks were a little different for sure,” Lane said. “I hadn’t done it in a couple of years, but after that, I got used to it. I had my routine from high school that I liked and went through a lot.”

It took Lane about two months to get back in the routine and competition ready.

This summer, Lane came to Mystic to play summer ball with the Schooners and get back to game action for the first time since his injury.

On Friday, June 5, Lane got the long awaited call to the bullpen for his return to the mound in a two-run ballgame.

“It was great [getting in the game],” Lane said. “I love being out there and competing. With a close game, it felt great to just go out there and get it done.”

Lane stunned, striking out five consecutive batters he faced, helping lift the Schooners to a 3-2 victory over Martha’s Vineyard.

The journey back was certainly worth it.

“Seeing all the hard work come to fruition was awesome,” Lane said.