FAYETTEVILLE — The Arkansas Razorbacks will see a familiar face in the opposing dugout the next two days as Missouri State catcher Dylan Leach will make his return wearing No. 5 for the Bears.
Though he’s in his first season at Missouri State, Leach made enough of an impression during fall ball to be elected a team captain.
“He’s really done a nice job in terms of performance on the field and leadership in the clubhouse,” Missouri State Coach Keith Guttin said Monday. “He’s been really productive for us.
“It’s rare, but he was elected one of the captains by his teammates in his first year with us. So he made an impression in the fall with his work ethic and being a quality teammate.”
Leach played for the Razorbacks in 2021-22, hitting .237 with a .484 slugging percentage, 5 home runs and 20 RBI over 41 games before transferring to Missouri last year.
He chiseled out a place in Arkansas history as he hit for the cycle and homered from both sides of the plate while going 5 for 5 with 5 RBI during a 21-9 win over Central Arkansas on April 5, 2022.
“When Dylan was at Arkansas he homered against us and when he was at Mizzou he homered against us and got a game-winning hit last year,” Guttin said. “When his name popped into the portal I told Joey Hawkins, our recruiting coordinator, immediately when I saw it.”
The 5-11 senior from Carthage, Texas, is hitting .301 with 12 home runs, 36 RBI and 40 runs scored in 42 games.