The Coastal Plain League announced today that Edenton’s Coty Saranthus was named the 2010 Rawlings CPL Defensive Player of the Year as voted upon by the CPL head coaches.

Saranthus, a junior at Delta State and Terry, Miss., was unstoppable on the mound for the Steamers as he rolled to a league-best 7-0 record with a save and a 0.68 ERA. The 6-0, 170-pound right-hander pitched 53 innings in 30 appearances; surrendering just five runs – four earned – on 18 hits, while walking nine and striking out 59.

Like Chas Crane, the 2010 CPL Offensive Player of the Year, Saranthus too found his name in the league history books. He held opposing batters to a measly .107 against him, which was the lowest in league history for any pitcher throwing 40 innings or more. Perhaps even more impressive, however, was that his 18 hits given up were the fewest in league history, while he also sported the lowest WHIP by a pitcher in CPL history at 0.51. Furthermore, Saranthus’ ERA of 0.68 was the third lowest in league history (minimum of 40 innings pitched) behind Scott Diamond (Martinsville, 2006/0.50) and Nick Schumacher (Asheboro, 2005/0.56).

Interestingly enough, Saranthus made 14 straight appearances without allowing a run, and did not allow a run in 23 1/3 consecutive innings at one point this season.  Furthermore, he did not allow a run in 26 of his 30 appearances, and didn’t allow a hit in 18 of his 30 appearances; and Edenton was 18-12 when Saranthus stepped onto the mound.

Saranthus was also named as a pitcher for the National CPL All-Star team. He pitched one inning, retiring the side in the top of the sixth. In the Petitt Cup Playoffs, he made six appearances – being tagged with the loss in one, while earning the save in two others. In nine innings of work, he scattered seven hits, and gave up five runs – four earned. He walked walked five and struck out seven.

Earlier in the season, Saranthus was named the Rawlings Co-Pitcher of the Week after week three of action. That week, he made four appearances in relief for the Steamers, pitching 7 2/3 innings. He surrendered just one hit, while striking out 13, and earned a 2-0 record and 0.00 ERA on the week. Furthermore, opposing batters hit just .043 against him. 

The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 14th season, the Coastal Plain League features 15 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. The CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. Furthermore, the CPL has had over 800 alumni drafted and 38 alums make their Major League debut thus far. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league Web site at http://www.coastalplain.com.