Whiteside picks off Reynolds in Giants versus Diamondbacks clash (Video)
CLEVELAND - Former Delta State pitcher Brent Leach has been on fire for the Los Angeles Dodgers out of the bullpen.
Leach hasn't given up a run in 11 of his last 13 outings. Over his last 13 games, he has given up just five hits and two earned runs in 8.1 innings for an ERA of 2.16.
In 17 appearances this year, Leach has an overall ERA of 4.22 with a perfect 1-0 record. He 's given up just eight hits with five walks and 11 strikeouts in 10.2 innings of work. Leach has also been doing a lot of community work off the field as he, his wife Sara, the Dodgers Dream Foundation and Dodgers Win hosted a fishing trip through the Daniel Hernandez Youth Foundation for 34 kids this past Monday.
Leach pitched at Delta State in 2005.
Former Delta State University catcher Eli Whiteside has been swinging the bat for the San Francisco Giants. Whiteside has hit safely in four of the five games he's played in this year. Tuesday night, Whiteside with 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored against the Arizona Diamondbacks. In his five games this year, Whiteside is hitting .313 (5-for-16) with two runs scored and has struckout just once.
Whiteside played at Delta State from 1999-2001.
Former Delta State University infielder Edwin Maysonet has continued his good hitting for the Astros.
Maysonet's average stands at .341 with a home run, six RBI and six runs scored in 15 games. Despite going 0-for-3 against Chicago on Tuesday, Maysonet has hit safely in seven of his last 10 games. During that stretch, he is hitting .371 (13-for-35). Maysonet played with Delta State in 2002 and 03.
In triple A action, former Delta State pitcher Dusty Hughes made his second start on the mound for the Omaha Royals in their game against Nashville Sunday night. Hughes gave up six hits but only one run with no walks and three strikeouts in five innings of work.
In 15 games this season, Hughes is 0-1 with a 4.18 ERA. He has given up 31 hits with just nine walks and 22 strikeouts in 28 innings of work.
Omaha is an affiliate of the Kansas City Royals organization. Hughes pitched at Delta State from 2001-03.
In single-A action, former Delta State pitcher Kenny Smalley has been having a solid season for the Kane County Cougars. Smalley is currently 6-1 with a 2.03 ERA in 14 games. In 48.2 innings of work, he has given up just 36 hits with 16 walks and 52 strikeouts. Opponents are hitting just .203 against him, and he has given up just one home run.
The Cougars are an affiliate of the Oakland A's. Smalley pitched for Delta State in 2008.
In the Independent League, former Delta State outfielder Jud Thigpen has been heating up at the plate for the Brockton Rox. Over his last seven games, Thigpen is hitting .321 (9-for-28) with a home run, nine RBI and four runs scored. The recent stretch has allowed Thigpen to raise his average to .255. He has three home runs with a team-leading 12 RBI and six runs scored in 12 games. Thigpen is currently tied for third in RBI in the Can-Am League and has a slugging percentage of .489.
Thigpen played for Delta State from 2000-04. He is also a Bayou Academy graduate.
Andy Collier is the sports editor at the Bolivar Commercial. He can be reached at (662)-843-4241 or by e-mail at
andy.collier@bolivarcommercial.com.