Oregon State P Luke Heimlich Takes Leave After Being Identified as Sex Offender

Oregon State Beavers pitcher Luke Heimlich is taking a leave of absence from the program in the midst of the College World Series after he was identified as a registered sex offender in a Thursday report from the Oregonian.

On Friday, Heimlich released a statement confirming he'll be stepping away from the team, per the Oregonian's Danny Moran:  

According to Thursday's report from Moran and Brad Schmidt, Heimlich pleaded guilty to one charge of sexually molesting a six-year-old female family member in August 2012. 

One of the nation's best pitching prospects, Heimlich had operated as an anchor of the Beavers pitching staff all season long. The junior had originally been scheduled to pitch Friday in Super Regional action against Vanderbilt.