MLB

Star College Baseball Player Arrested On Rape Charges In Bahamas

Garrett Wittels, a Florida International University baseball player, was arrested and charged with the rape of two 17-year-old girls in the Bahamas, according to the Miami Herald. In addition to Wittels, four of his friends were arrested.

Wittels is one of the best-known collegiate baseball stars in the country. His current hit streak of 56 game is two shy of Robin Ventura’s all-time NCAA record (FIU starts its season in February).

According to the Herald, the incident happened at the Atlantis Resort and Casino in Paradise Island on December 20th. The girls, who were American, passed themselves of as students at the University of Arkansas. Since the age of consent for sexual activity in the Bahamas is 16, age isn’t a factor in the case.

As Deadspin points out, Wittels is a 2010 ESPY nominee, and his hit streak figured to be a “Sportscenter-level” storyline when the college baseball season resumed. As you can imagine, there are now questions as to whether or not he will be suspended from FIU’s baseball team. Their athletic director, Pete Garcia, said “We will continue to gather any possible information as it becomes available.”

Meanwhile, Wittels’ father is maintaining his son’s innocence.

“He hasn’t been found guilty of anything,” said Michael Wittels. “I hope [the media] doesn’t hang him for merely an allegation. That’s all this is.’