The man who was arrested by Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station deputies in connection with the assault of a man in his 80s at Doc’s Inn has been identified as a former baseball player at The Master’s University who is now no longer a student there.  Owen Hayes, 21, of Newhall, was arre sted on Monday on suspicion of elder abuse and assault likely to cause great bodily injury in connection with the Feb. 28 incident that saw a man in his 80s punched without provocation at the bar.  Staff for the Lyons Avenue bar described the incident as an unprovoked assault against a well-liked longtime customer.  A TMU official said in a statement Wednesday morning that the university does not comment on legal matters involving students, but that TMU is cooperating with all relevant authorities.  Later Wednesday evening, another statement was released by TMU stating that “the individual in question no longer attends The Master’s University.”  “The university takes all violations of its standards and biblical convictions seriously,” the statement from TMU spokesman Mason Nesbitt reads. “When violations occur, we follow established procedures to ensure appropriate action is decisively taken. We are thankful that such behavior is exceedingly rare among our students, who come to TMU because they desire to honor the Lord.”  A Palmer, Alaska, native who played for Taft College just southwest of Bakersfield before transferring to TMU prior to the 2024-25 school year, Hayes is no longer listed on the TMU baseball roster on its website as of Wednesday morning. Listed as a first baseman and outfielder for Taft, Hayes last played for TMU on March 1 in a home doubleheader against Bethesda University of California.  He went four-for-five with a home run in the first game before going hitless with two runs scored in three trips to the plate in the second game.  Hayes also played against Bethesda later the same day that the 1:23 a.m. assault allegedly occurred, recording a double and two RBIs.  The Mustangs traveled to Park University Gilbert in Arizona for a four-game series on March 8 and 9. Hayes does not show up in the box scores for any of those games.  In 23 games for the Mustangs, Hayes hit .314 with six home runs, 20 RBIs and 17 runs scored. He was a two-time all-conference selection during his time at Taft College.  Deputy Robert Jensen, spokesman for the SCV Sheriff’s Station, said deputies initially received a report at 1:23 a.m. Feb. 28 of “mutual combat” at Doc’s Inn between two groups that totaled about 10 people, most believed to be in their 20s, and at least one woman.    Chrisha Moore, manager at Doc’s Inn, shared footage of the incident and of the group leaving, in hopes there would be an arrest, adding these types of incidents don’t regularly happen at the locally owned establishment.  In security footage released by the bar, the victim can be seen joking with the assailant, and the video appears to show the assailant coming up from behind and punching the patron in the head.   Moore said the victim, who was identified by Moore as “John,” was doing well on Monday.   Sheriff’s Department records available online indicated Hayes did not have a prior criminal record.   Custody records available online indicate he was released on $50,000 bail about seven hours after he was picked up, and he had a court date scheduled for Wednesday morning at the San Fernando courthouse.  The post Former TMU baseball player identified as suspect in bar assault  appeared first on Santa Clarita Valley Signal. ...read more read less