9/1/09

RIP - Seton Hall Fr. SP - David Bachner




(From August 12th)


David Bachner -- a Seton Hall-bound pitcher who captivated the West Windsor-Plainsboro community with his talent -- had the potential to rise to the major leagues, according to Marty Flynn, athletic director for the Middlesex County school district.



The 18-year-old Plainsboro native died lTuesday afternoon.



Photo by Mike Dill/For The Times of TrentonWest Windsor Plainsboro North pitcher David Bachner delivers a pitch in May.



"I think he had the ability to continue to develop and possibly, under the tutelage of the Seton Hall program, of realizing that dream. I really do," Flynn said today of the record-breaking athlete.



When Bachner's parents couldn't reach him on his cell phone Tuesday, they called 911, township police Lt. Troy Bell said yesterday. However, the couple found their son dead at their Camas Court home in Plainsboro before officers arrived.



An autopsy was performed yesterday, but the results were not immediately released, according to the Middlesex County Medical Examiner's Office. Flynn said he heard there may have been a pre-existing medical condition, but didn't know enough to elaborate.



Bob Boyce, who coached Bachner at the district's High School North, told the Times of Trenton that a doctor had found a heart problem when giving the player a physical for Seton Hall. Bachner wore a heart monitor for several days while playing American Legion baseball in June, Boyce told the Times.



Bachner was the best pitcher to set foot on the mound in the 10 years that High School North has been open, said Flynn, who has a baseball background. Two local newspapers named him their Player of the Year, with the Times calling his high school career "unbelievable." His 1.50 ERA, 236 strikeouts and 17-3 won-loss count are school records.




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