July 24, 2011

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Former Samford baseball players Michael Johnson, Andrew Jones and Grant Sides have continued to enjoy success in their first season of professional baseball this summer.

Johnson, an infielder, is playing for the Bristol White Sox in the Rookie Appalachian League. He has seen action in 24 games and has a .341 average with 10 doubles and 11 RBI in 88 at-bats so far this season.

Jones, a relief pitcher, has played for three different teams in the Red Sox organization this summer, and is currently playing for the Lowell Spinners of the Class A New York-Penn League. Jones has a record of 1-0 with one save and a 1.32 ERA in 13.2 innings of work. He has posted seven strike outs without allowing a walk.

After sitting out the early part of the season, Sides is now playing for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, the Class A New York-Penn League's affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. Sides, also a relief pitcher, has appeared in four games and has a 7.20 ERA with two strikeouts so far this summer.