PARKERSBURG — Parkersburg Catholic graduate and minor league pitcher Patrick Copen needs all the thoughts and prayers available as he recovers from getting struck in the face by a batted ball last week during his start with the Great Lakes Loons in the Class A Midwest League.

The incident occurred in the third inning of a game against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Dow Diamond in Midland, Mich., on Tuesday, Aug. 20.

Copen was struck in the eye by a line drive to the mound. The game was delayed for 21 minutes while Copen was attended to and taken off the field on a stretcher.

“Patrick is in a rough spot,” said his father, Curt Copen, who was watching the game via stream with his family in Belpre. “We went back to watch the film – the ball was hit 103 miles per hour. By the time Patrick finished his follow through and got to the bottom of the mound, he was only 50 feet away from the plate.”

Patrick Copen underwent emergency surgery that same evening He suffered multiple facial fractures. Surgery to repair the fracture can’t occur until his ruptured eye heals.

“He can’t see out of his right eye,” his father said. “His spirits are very high. He has had a ton of support from everybody.”

Patrick Copen’s girlfriend was in attendance and stayed in contact with the family before they arrived at the hospital the next day. Loons broadcast and content coordinator John Vicari said Copen was responsive while being carried off the field.

“Patrick remembers every bit of what happened,” his father added. “The majority of his pain are aches and the discomfort of the face being broken up.”

After being drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the seventh round of the 2023 draft, Copen began his professional career at low-A ball with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.

This season on June 7, Copen made his debut with Great Lakes. Since the promotion, he has started nine games. He has a 3-2 record with a 4.23 earned-run average. In 38 1-3 innings of work, Copen has allowed 36 hits and struck out 38.